A FUND raiser has been set up following the sudden death of a former Teignmouth fisherman.

Gary Morton died aged 51 after a suspected seizure.

His sister Rachel Palmer is hoping to raise enough money to give her brother a ‘proper send-off’.

He had been feeling unwell for a few days before he collapsed.

Paramedics were on the scene within minutes and spent an hour trying to save Gary but were unsuccessful.

Now Rachel is having to organise her brother’s funeral.

Gary was known in Teignmouth and among the fishing community having worked on local fishing boat Girl Rhona from age 13 to help support his mum Denise Jenkinson and Rachel.

He worked on trawlers in Teignmouth and Brixham until he was in his 30s when a back injury forced him to stop.

He then worked various jobs including house decorating and cleaning.

His unexpected death has come as a huge shock to his family.

Rachel said: ‘He was known for being a good-hearted person and a fan of a good pint.

‘He was an exceptionally kind family man who was looking after his elderly mother, 73, and was the epitome of a family man and a very proud uncle.’

Now the burden of organising the funeral is on Rachel as next of kin.

She works part-time as a vet receptionist and her husband is a self-employed roofer, and she is worried about how their mother will cope and how the news may affect her heart.

Rachel said: ‘Gary had a heart of gold and my mum is in a real state as he phoned he every day but people are rallying round to help her.’

Rachel is being helped by the Fishermen’s Mission charity but is appealing for help to pay for a funeral at St James Church in Teignmouth where all the family have been christened and married.

The fundraiser has reached £445 of the £1,000 goal.