The heartbroken wife and family of a motorcyclist who died in a crash have launched a JustGiving page to help pay for his funeral.

'Perfect step-dad' Martin Shepherd from Deal lost his life in a collision with a white Ford Transit van on the Thanet-bound carriageway of the A256 Sandwich Road, on Wednesday, July 22.

Relatives of the 48-year-old, who was a full time carer to his disabled wife Jean, say they are struggling to live life without him.

To ease the pain on their grieving mother, they have launched a donation page to help her cover the cost of his funeral.

Step daughter Sammie Parker has written: "On July 22, we lost an amazing man in a terrible motorbike accident that shocked our entire family and has broken all of ours hearts, especially our mum Jean.

"Martin was in our lives for 14 years and was an amazing man. He raised us like we were his own. He was funny and helpful to everyone.

"Our mum Jean is broken. She has lost the love of her life, her soul mate, her everything, and the last thing we want her to be worrying about is funeral costs and memorials.

"With our mum being disabled and unable to work she is very limited in what help is available, so any donation to help we will be grateful for.

"We really hope this will help our mum to try and deal with managing life without added stress."

Mr Shepherd, an Arsenal football fan who loved Christmas, will be remembered as a perfect step-dad and an amazing grandad.

In a separate tribute to KentOnline, Ms Parker said: "Martin was was just amazing. He adored my mum a lot. They were inseparable. As a family he was just the perfect step-dad to me and Jamie, he always supported us and was our number one fan for everything we did.

"His bike was his prized possession. He used to say how much he loved going out on his bandit and going to meet new people especially at the Adelaide bike cafe.

"Arsenal was his football team, always loved watching the games and Christmas was his favourite time of year.

"He always posted a countdown on his Facebook. It started as a joke but people loved it. He just was a beautiful soul, always smiling and making people laugh and smile with his rainbow beard.

"We really miss him so much. He's constantly in our thoughts. We just are struggling to live life without him."

Following his death last month, heartfelt comments flooded his Facebook page, many from the local Slimming World community who supported Mr Shepherd through his 10 stone weight loss.

Slimming World group leader Nick Luckhurst said: "The man was a complete gentleman and become a good friend of mine and many other members in Deal."

Mr Shepherd's funeral will be held on August 25 for family and close friends only due to Covid-19.

However, well wishers are invited to line the seafront in Deal wearing something red - his favourite colour - as his hearse passes at 8.35am.

Ms Parker added: "When Covid-19 is over with and everything has calmed down we will plan a get together to celebrate Martin's life."

To donate, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal