Chelsea footballer Ryan Bertrand has helped boost funds for the family of Gillingham knife victim David Young by re-tweeting the fundraising page and asking people to help out.

The professional footballer, pictured, who went to the same school as Mr Young, has tweeted his 137,000 followers the link to a fundraising page set up in his memory to help provide financial help to his partner, Kirsty Bryant and their two young daughters.

Police have launched a murder investigation after the father of two, who was critically injured early on New Year’s Day, died in hospital.
Mr Young, 28, suffered a knife wound to his thigh during an incident in Windmill Road, Gillingham.

He was taken to nearby Medway Maritime Hospital but the self-employed builder, of Beatty Avenue, Gillingham, died of his injuries on Saturday morning.

Police had been called to Windmill Road at about 2.50am, when a fight broke out between a group of people.

Mr Young, below left, who according to his Facebook page was a Gillingham and Arsenal supporter, had been walking home with friends from a night out at the Casino Rooms in Rochester, when the fracas started.

He had been in intensive care at the Gillingham hospital since, but police confirmed at the weekend he had died.

Mr Young, who has been described by friends as a devoted father, played football for Gillingham-based Featherby in Division One of the Medway Messenger Sunday league.

A match between Oak Athletic, which was due to be played on Sunday, in Sittingbourne, was cancelled following the tragic news.

A friend of the former Robert Napier School pupil had set up an online fundraising page to help his partner Kirsty and their two daughters cope financially.

The kind-hearted gesture was made by childhood friend Matthew Griffin on Friday and friends were quick to donate and now, thanks to several celebrity re-tweets, the link to the fundraising page can now be accessed by thousands.

So far, £3,430 has been raised. Hundreds of people have been paying tribute to the young dad on his Facebook page and on the fundraising website set up by Mr Griffin.

Victoria Dixon wrote: “RIP Dave wicked bloke, all our love goes out to Kirsty, girls and family love Steve, Vicki, Kai, Lilly and trilby Dixon.”

Melanie Collins said: “Taken far too soon, Thinking of your family and your beautiful girls. RIP Dave.”

Shelley Billingham added: “Still in shock, I remember us all playing as kids, what a devastating loss.”

Ollie Cotton wrote on Facebook: “RIP Dave so many fond memories of us during our early years playing for Thamesview and Medway football team. You where one in a million mate top bloke.”

Mr Griffin, 32, is hoping to get as much money for his friend’s family as possible, and Bertrand has tweeted R.I.P David Young and has also tweeted the link to the fundraising page, asking his thousands of followers to please go to the site.

Rapper MC Harvey, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother last year and Josie Gibson, from Big Brother 2010, have also both re-tweeted the link to the fundraising page.
If you would like to donate, visit www.gofundme.com/daveyoung

Two teenagers have appeared in court and been remanded in custody in connection with the stabbing.

Stuart Porter, 18, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named, appeared before magistrates in Medway on Thursday, January 3, before Mr Young died. Both are accused of grievous harm with intent.

Porter, of Buttermere Close, Gillingham, and the 17-year-old from Strood, were remanded in custody until their next court appearance, which will be at Maidstone Crown Court, this Thursday, January 10.