Fundraiser for family of Telford man who died rescuing children from sea passes £12,000
More than £12,000 has been donated to an appeal for the family of a man who died after rescuing his children from the sea.
Mr Stevens, who was 36 and from Woodside in Telford, got into difficulty while saving his children from a rip current off the coast of Barmouth on Sunday.
Hewas airlifted by emergency services but died in hospital.
A woman set up a fundraiser after his death and encouraged people to donate for his children and former partner, Laura Burford.
So far more than £12,000 has been pledged.
Mel Plowman wrote: "I'm Mel, a family friend, from Telford who set up this fund page to help this poor family who sadly lost Jonathan (Joff) whilst he was saving his children in the sea at Barmouth beach.
"The funds raised will go towards any funeral costs, to each of his seven children to support and to have a memory gift from their hero father and to Laura to help along the way with any costs that may occur.
"I will be meeting with Laura when the time is right to hand over the remaining funds.
"Thank you all so much for your kind donations and messages of love at this heartbreaking time."
Mr Stevens grew up in Shrewsbury and had seven children. Kim Stevens, one of his five sisters, paid tribute saying: "He has died a hero for saving his kids' lives and risking his own."
Meanwhile Gwynedd Council has said that the lifeguard arrangements at Barmouth beach are to be reviewed in the wake of the incident.
Donate at gofundme.com/f/a-gift-for-the-children-from-their-hero.
