GENEROUS donors have helped raise vital funds for the funeral of a Highworth six-year-old who died suddenly after contracting suspected meningitis last month.

Support has been flooding in for the family of the former Westrop Primary School pupil named Miles ahead of the funeral later this month, and within minutes of friends setting up a JustGiving page, large donations helped them smash their target of £500.

The community decided to rally in support of the family and set up the page on Wednesday evening, which has already attracted hundreds of pounds.

It is being organised through the Highworth News and More group after they heard of the tragedy on December 19, and they are now hoping they can provide as much financial respite as possible.

Martina, one of the organisers of the group, said: “As parents we thought we should do something to support the family, so we set up the page with the permission of the parents so people can choose to make a donation if they would like to help out with the funeral costs and anything that can help.

“On behalf of the people of Highworth we will then be able to pass on that amount to the family and we hope that it helps. The response has just been amazing and it has been shocking how nice and supportive people have been.”

Determined to give Miles the best send-off, Swindon Bikers will also organise an escort to accompany a side-car hearse which will lay the young motorcycle enthusiast to rest.

Nicky Howard, organiser with Swindon Bikers, said just less than 200 bikers had been invited to send Miles off in style.

“Because this is a young child it is such a tragedy,” she said.

“We have been asked whether we can accompany him on the day of the funeral. He will be travelling in a side-car hearse because of that love of bikes.

“That’s actually how I would like to go myself, so I understand the family wanting to do this. A lot of youngsters are quite enthusiastic about bikes so it is quite a fitting way for us to participate and pay our respects. The family thought that would be an appropriate way to send him off. Numbers can vary for events like this, but we have 79 bikers confirmed in 24 hours, which looks pretty positive.

“We are quite an active group and will get behind anybody on a request like this. Being a mum myself I really feel for the family – it’s so sad. My youngest child went to school with his sister so it does hit home. It is a tragedy for the whole town. It is something that is always on parents’ minds when you have a little one.

“Swindon Bikers are behind the family and will hopefully help to send him off in style.”

To make a donation please visit www.justgiving.com/yimby/Miles#/. The family have asked that people respect their privacy at this time.