Local Australian athletics organisations have paid tribute to 2025 Stawell Gift finalist Jemma Stapleton, 25, who died while on holiday overseas with her family.<\/p>\n
The cause of death has not yet been disclosed, though an online fundraising page shared by her brother said she \u201ctragically lost her life in an accident\u201d.<\/p>\n
A flood of tributes from family and sporting clubs began on Thursday evening, honouring the Victorian sprinter.<\/p>\n
Allow Instagram content?<\/p>\n
This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click ‘Allow and continue’.<\/p>\n
A fundraising page was set up for Stapleton\u2019s family, which read: \u201cIt is with great sadness that our beautiful friends the Stapleton family are facing the unmeasurable grief while on a family holiday with the passing of their beautiful daughter, sister and partner Jemma.\u201d<\/p>\n
Created on Thursday, the fundraising page has already reached over its $100,000 goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis GoFundMe has been set up (and approved by the family) to help ease a bit of pressure financially for the family so they can grieve together and spend as much time together as possible to get through and navigate this impossible loss,\u201d the webpage said.<\/p>\n
Stapleton\u2019s partner, Tyler Gray, wrote on Instagram: \u201cI can\u2019t put into words the hurt I am feeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are the single greatest thing to happen to me and I am so grateful for the love we shared.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you with all my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her brother, Joel, posted a tribute on his Instagram that said: \u201cRest in peace.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you so much, I promise I\u2019ll make you proud. You were the best sister and my best friend, I\u2019ll forever miss you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joel also reposted the fundraising page to his Instagram story, saying: \u201cSo grateful for you all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lysterfield junior football club also posted a tribute to the young athlete, noting Stapleton\u2019s partner and brother were part of its community:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile this news reaches us through those connections, today our thoughts are with Jemma, her family, friends and all those who loved her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Allow Instagram content?<\/p>\n
This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click ‘Allow and continue’.<\/p>\n