Thousands of pounds have already been raised in memory of a homeless man described as a 'fantastic local character' in Kibworth

A campaign to raise £5,000 to pay tribute to a homeless man sadly found dead at a sports ground in Kibworth Beauchamp has smashed its target in just 24 hours.

Money is still pouring in as the appeal to set up a permanent memorial to the middle-aged local man known to everybody as Fred has gone through the roof.

James Bambury, 38, the man behind the JustGiving page, said he has been stunned by the overwhelming response from the local community.

He had raked in a brilliant £6,385 by 9am on Tuesday morning with 341 supporters chipping in.

You can find James’s JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpfredJames is now planning to talk to Fred’s family about how best to spend the money after he was discovered dead early on Sunday morning.

The fundraising effort is going ahead after the sudden death of the rough sleeper, whose real name was Stephen Winter, has shocked Kibworth.

Fred’s family have said that he was one of a kind who had “touched the hearts of so many people”.

James, who ran The Swan pub in Kibworth Beauchamp for seven years, told the Harborough Mail: “I am truly astonished by how this campaign has taken off.

“It’s absolutely incredible.

“Fred was the salt of the earth.

“And this just goes to show how much he was loved by so many people across Kibworth.”

The dad-of-two said he set up the JustGiving page on Monday morning after talking to his two heartbroken little boys aged four and six.

“They both knew Fred and they loved him to bits.

“He used to talk to them all the time and he was so good with them,” said James, who still lives in Kibworth.

“My boys couldn’t understand why Fred didn’t have a home.

“I told them that that was how he wanted to live.

“But then I decided on the spur of the moment to launch the fundraising venture in case we had to pay for his send-off.

“But now I understand that his family are going to pay for his funeral, which is great.

“So I’ll talk to them about what to do with the money we’ve generated.

“I believe that Fred had a brother and a sister.

“I’d like to create a bench in memory of Fred at Smeeton Road Recreation Ground, which he loved.

“It would be great to set up some sort of monument.

“Perhaps we could fund some children’s play equipment and dedicate it to Fred,” said James, who now runs The Bull pub at Broughton Astley.

“I’m sure that he’d like that.

“I’d known him for 20 years.

“He was always walking between Kibworth and Fleckney.

“Fred used to look after his mum in Saddington years ago.

“He injured his legs in a motorbike crash ages ago but he still cared for people.

“He’d buy old people’s shopping for them and they’d give him a fiver.

“He was always feeding the squirrels and giving people’s dogs biscuits.

“I used to take him in and feed him Christmas dinner and a couple of pints.

“Fred was just a fantastic one-off village character.

“He didn’t say much at times, he was the quiet man in the corner – but he saw everything.

“I’ve spoken to the parish councils here about what we can do for Fred.

“And I’m just so pleased that we’ve managed to find his family.

“Fred deserves a good send-off – and we are determined to keep his name alive.

“He’s gone but he’ll never be forgotten.”

Fred’s family told the Mail: “Fred was one of a kind, a true character who chose to live life his own way.

“Over the years he’s touched the hearts of so many people and seeing all of the kind messages, generosity and fond memories, has been a real comfort to our family at this very sad time.

“We will miss you Fred.”

Cllr Kevin Feltham, who also knew Fred well, told the Mail: “His death has come as a great shock to so many of us in Kibworth who have got to know Fred over the years.

“We knew that he’d recently been in hospital for a couple of days with a bad leg.

“But none of us, of course, realised that he was so ill.”

Kevin added: “I am so pleased that this fundraising venture has been set up.

“One of our parish councillors has just contributed £40 herself today.

“Fred was well loved and well liked across the whole community.”

The veteran Kibworth councillor said it will also be “brilliant” to dedicate a bench to Fred, originally from nearby Fleckney, to keep his memory alive.

“Fred loved to sit on benches all over Kibworth.

“He’d park himself down near the Co-op as well in Smeeton Road Recreation Ground and any other number of places,” said Kevin, who sits on both Kibworth Harcourt and Kibworth Beauchamp parish councils as well as the county council.

“He was a happy go lucky bloke who would talk to anyone.

“Everyone knew Fred – he was an amazing local character."

He said Fred, aged 57, had lived rough for at least the last 15-20 years.

“Fred used to sleep in a shed here in a field at the top of Fleckney Road now and again.

“We heard he was living in a tent at the recreation ground earlier this week.

“Fred didn’t see himself as homeless.

“He just loved to live out under the stars – and was proud of the way he lived.

“He actually went into a hostel in Market Harborough years ago but discharged himself after just one night.

“He couldn’t stand it and had to get out.

“Our two parish councils in Kibworth will have their annual joint meeting next month.

“And we’ll see what we can do to support the cause to get behind Fred and keep his memory burning strong.”

Cllr Phil King, who leads Harborough council and lives in Kibworth Beauchamp, said: “This is very sad.

“All my thoughts are with Fred’s family and friends.”

Police investigating Fred’s death are treating it as “unexplained” but do not suspect any foul play.

“Officers were called to a park in Smeeton Road, Kibworth, at 7.52am on Sunday following a report of the body of a man being found.

“Officers attended the scene and enquiries are being carried out.

“The death is currently being treated as unexplained,” said a Leicestershire Police spokeswoman.

“It is not believed that any third party is involved.

“HM Coroner has been informed and identity is a matter for HM Coroner.”