More than £5,000 has been raised in memory of a boy who died in the River Ribble at Ribchester.
Lancashire Police confirmed the body of 12-year-old Junior Slater was found after a six-hour search of the river on Tuesday.
Emergency services had been sent to the scene after reports of the youngster, from Clayton-le-Woods, getting into difficulty while swimming with friends and playing on a section of the river known locally as ‘the tush’.
His sister Shannonleigh has started a fundraiser to help with funeral costs and to ensure Junior gets ‘the beautiful send-off he deserves’.
During Wednesday afternoon the family of Junior released a statement paying tribute: “Our little blue-eyed boy. He will be truly missed. He was the life and soul of our lives.
“Words can’t describe how we are feeling right now. We will forever love you Junior.”
His sister added: “Our hearts are completely broken after tragically losing our beautiful 12-year-old brother.
“He was the happiest, cheekiest soul, always making everyone laugh and lighting up every room he walked into. He was a loving son, amazing little brother, and the best uncle. He was loved by so many people, and we were all so proud of him.
“We are raising money to help give him the beautiful send-off he deserves and support our mum and family through this heart-breaking time. Any donation or share would mean the world to us. Forever 12. Forever loved.”
The GoFundMe has a target of £7,000 and more than 200 donations had already been made by Wednesday morning.
Junior’s former school in Ribbleton, Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Primary, have also paid tribute.
Benches in Ribchester, which face down towards the river where Junior died, have begun to fill with flowers, balloons and notes in tribute and memory to the Preston youngster.
Police say his death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed to the coroner. Junior’s family continued to be supported by family liaison officers.
