More than £100,000 has been raised to support the family of three-year-old Noah Woods, who died after going missing from a playground in Brantham, Suffolk. The toddler disappeared on Tuesday afternoon (15 September) after becoming separated from a relative at a play area in Merriam Close.
Suffolk Police confirmed that Noah was non-verbal, partially deaf, and had been undergoing an assessment for autism. His body was recovered from Decoy Pond in Brantham on Wednesday afternoon, and his death is not being treated as suspicious.
Community search and fundraising response
An extensive search operation was launched to locate the youngster, with approximately 1,300 members of the public taking part. On the first day alone, around 1,000 volunteers joined the search. The fundraising page, set up by Good Dads Club, a community of fathers based in Colchester, Essex, has exceeded £104,000, including a £2,000 donation from Ipswich Town footballer Leif Davis.
Organisers said the funds would help Noah's family with costs and allow them to take time off work while they mourn. Noah's family have been informed about the campaign and are reportedly "incredibly grateful" for the support, according to the Express.
Family tribute and next steps
Noah's father, Rhys Woods, paid tribute to his son in a Facebook post, writing: "There are no words to describe the pain of this loss. We are all absolutely heartbroken. Noah was the sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give, and we are going to miss him so very much."
The fundraiser stated: "In light of the news regarding three-year-old Noah Woods, Good Dads Club is calling on our community to give whatever they can to ease the overwhelming burden on his family during this heartbreaking time. While no amount of money can undo these life-altering events, every single financial contribution will go directly toward helping Noah's family's expenses, navigate daily bills, and take the necessary time off work to grieve without the added strain of financial worry. Please consider donating today; no contribution is too small, and share this campaign so we can surround Noah's loved ones with the solidarity they desperately need."
Officers have confirmed that further enquiries remain outstanding before the case can be referred to the coroner.
