Tributes have been paid to a well-known volunteer with a “heart of gold” as friends try to raise money for his funeral.

David Kemp died unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 11, and was known by many for his voluntary work as a marshal with the Sheppey EMUs (event marshalling unit) and then later the Sittingbourne EVOs. He was also a former member of the Sheerness Town Team.

He had worked at Phoenix House community centre in Sittingbourne, helping the homeless, and at the Sheerness-based Sheppey Matters and as a marshal many times. A fundraising page has been set up by Lauren Horn whose mum Cindy Horn and uncle Shane Warren were the closest family Dave had.

Lauren said the 67-year-old, who was living in East Street, Sittingbourne, didn’t have any family apart from his nan, who he lived with before she died 20 years ago.

She said: “My mum and uncle knew David for about 40 years and classed him as part of the family. He loved the days when he was marshalling.

“He loved going to Herne Bay and getting fish and chips and loved a trip to Guernsey with my uncle. That was his favourite place. He would always talk about it. He enjoyed going into cafés for a chat and loved the McDonald’s in Sheerness. He was very kind and friendly and would help anyone where he could. He had an absolute heart of gold.”

Lauren and her family are trying to raise money for his funeral as they have decided to cover the costs. She said: “He was going to have a pauper’s funeral with no ashes or mourners. We couldn’t let him go like that so my mum and uncle have taken on the responsibility to give him a proper send-off. That’s what he deserves as he helped so many. He was such a friendly person.”

The funeral will cost around £2,000 and £150 has been raised.

To donate, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne

Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey