More than £5,000 has been raised to pay for the funeral of a three-year-old boy who died after he fell into a canal near Newbury.
Dylan Milsom and his mother Shelley Nardini were pulled from the Kennet & Avon Canal on Saturday, March 13, but he died in hospital later that day.
Witnesses claim he fell into the water while feeding the ducks and his mother jumped in to save him, before emergency services arrived on the scene.
His family described him as a “happy, brave and warm little boy” who had a “happy go lucky zest for life”, in a touching tribute.
READ MORE: Tributes to boy, 3, who died after Newbury canal fall
An anonymous friend of the family has set up a gofundme page to help them pay for the funeral and people have donated over £5,300 so far.
The page states: “I know this tragic accident has touched the hearts of everyone within this community, and if we could take any amount of the pain away, we all would in a heartbeat.
“If anyone could donate any amount that they can to help his parents give him the send off they all deserve, it would be much appreciated.
“On behalf of his parents and all of Newbury, you will always be in our hearts.”
Since his tragic death, more than 4,900 people have since signed a petition calling for West Berkshire Council to set up “a strong barrier” at that section of the canal “to prevent accidents like this happening in the future”.
Dylan Milsom, 3, died after he fell into a canal on March 13
The council says it is working with Thames Valley Police and the Canal and River Trust to figure out exactly what happened and whether any action needs to be taken.
That section of the canal and the footpath next to it are owned and maintained by the Canal and River Trust.
Speaking earlier this month, a trust spokesman said: “We recognise and share the depth of local concerns reflected in the petition and will work with local partners, including the council, to undertake an investigation and make improvements where possible.
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“At the moment we don’t yet know the full details and circumstances which led to such a tragic death.
“It will be important to work with the police and others to fully understand the circumstances as part of the process.”
Thames Valley Police say the death is being treated as “unexplained but not suspicious”.
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