Dozens of people gathered at Brighton Palace Pier this morning for the walk towards Littlehampton to remember 51-year-old grandfather Paul Lawrence, who died last month.
Paul, a plumber and engineer, was said to have been heading back from the Littlehampton Trades and Labour Club to his mother’s house when he was attacked. He was later found dead after a head injury.
Colleagues who worked with Paul at Stocker and Sons organised the walk to from the pier to the club to raise money to cover funeral costs and give him “the send off he deserves”.
The crowdfunder has raised almost £9,000 over just one week.
Some of those taking part in the walk wore shirts with Paul’s face, with others carrying buckets to encourage donations to the fundraiser for his funeral.
Lester Davies, president of the Littlehampton Traders and Labour Club, where Paul regularly visited, said they wanted to “get as many people [together] to show how much we loved him”.
“He was just bubbly, always happy, always at the bar and always talking to everyone,” Lester said.
“He always had a smile on his face. It’s not the same without him.”
Workmate Matt Clayton, 37, told The Argus that Paul was the “life and soul of work”.
He said: “I have never seen Paul in a bad mood or down, he was the jokey one who would lighten your day up.
“If you were having a bad day, Paul would be the one you go to. He was forever laughing – he will be sorely missed by everyone in the firm.
“Sometimes I think you don’t realise how much someone affects you until they’re gone. I would definitely class Paul as that sort of person.”
A 16-year-old from Littlehampton was arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been released on bail until March 14.
Donations to the fundraiser can be made by visiting justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Paul-Lawrence1.
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