Premier League star Leif Davis has given a £2,000 donation to the family of Noah Woods after the death of the three-year-old.
Noah went missing on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 15, when he became separated from a relative after visiting the playground in Merriam Close.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Dive Team recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond in Brantham on Thursday, formally identifying the three-year-old as Noah.
Ipswich defender Davis made the donation, and it was said he was among the group of at least 1,300 volunteers who went looking for the three-year-old in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
A Just Giving page has been set up to support Noah’s family, raising over £88,000 so far.
Ipswich Town paid tribute to Noah on Thursday, with club captain Dara O’Shea and goalkeeper Christian Walton laying a wreath at the playground where he was last seen.
The club released a statement reading: “The thoughts of everyone at Ipswich Town are with the family and friends of Noah Woods at this tragic time.
“We will be wearing black armbands for this weekend’s fixtures, in memory of Noah.”
Police identified Noah Woods’ body yesterday
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Everton has backed Ipswich’s message, saying they will also wear black armbands at their match this weekend.
Noah’s death is not being treated as suspicious, but police still have several enquiries to complete before submitting a file to the Coroner.
Superintendent Tom Pearse said: “I want to once again extend our thoughts and deepest sympathy to Noah’s family and thank them for their patience and understanding throughout the searches.
“It was clear from the media coverage we saw that they not only had all of Suffolk behind them, but an outpouring of goodwill from across the entire country and beyond.
Leif Davis donated £2,000 to the family of Noah Woods
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PA
“I know how grateful Noah’s family are for all the support and kind messages they have received, but would reiterate our plea to now allow them the time, space and privacy they need at this deeply distressing time.”
Noah’s father, Rhys Woods, paid tribute to his son in a message shared on a community Facebook group.
He wrote: “As I’m sure you have all seen, the body that was found in Decoy Pond is our little Noah.
Noah’s death is not being treated as suspicious
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“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.”
He said Noah will be loved forever and never forgotten, adding: “It has been a privilege to be your parents and be able to have packed so much love in the short three years you were with us.”
The fundraiser for Noah’s family can be found at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gooddadsclub.