A FUNDRAISER to help pay for the funeral of a rough sleeper following his tragic death has seen hundreds of pounds raised.

More than 50 people have contributed to the crowdfunder in honour of John Coupland, known to many as Cosmic.

Mr Coupland died last month and was aged just 36.

He was often spotted around the North Station Road area of Colchester but was planning to start a new life in Scotland with family members he had reconnected with over recent weeks.

Tragically, he never made the transport which had been arranged to take him north.

Cousin Adele Kirk set up the fundraising page to help pay for a private family funeral.

A larger memorial service could be planned for Colchester for when the coronavirus restrictions are eased.

So far, £1,242 has been raised by people who knew him and strangers touched by his story.

READ MORE: 'We have to do more' - tributes after tragic death of rough sleeper

Paying tribute to her cousin, Ms Kirk said: “He’d fallen on hard times, found himself homeless and fallen victim to some truly awful people.

“I had spent a long time trying to trace him and when I did he was so overcome with happiness and that some family actually cared that he burst into tears.

“He couldn’t believe he was finally going to get help out of his heartbreaking situation and start a new life with his family here in Scotland, where he wanted to spend the rest of his life, and finally feel safe.”

READ MORE: Tributes to beloved cousin who was on the verge of new life

She has also thanked the people who donated in a message on the crowdfunding site.

Mr Coupland’s death led to Colchester Council’s public safety boss Mike Lilley saying the authority needed to do more to help people who had slipped through the net.

Council leader Mark Cory said the authority had a robust strategy to try to help homeless people and the Government needed to do more to repair the damage created to society by austerity.

To donate to Mr Coupland’s funderal fund click HERE.