Kind-hearted Prestonains are being urged to help safeguard the future of two children left without their father after his death this week.

Steven Wardle, 31, was found dead in Haslam Park during the early hours of Monday (9 July).

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His mother, Diane Wardle, told Blog Preston: “We are totally devastated by what has happen but are supporting each other in the best way possible.

“It means so much to us all how many people have come forward to send their love and support and it has been so moving to read their tributes to Steve.

“We will be posting the funeral details as soon as it is confirmed.”

He leaves behind a 12-year-old son Harry James Wardle and a two-year-old daughter Eloise Jennifer Wardle.

Friends of the family have set up a Justgiving page to raise money for Ste – as he was known to his family and friends – children.

Martin Marlow’s Justgiving page states they want to ‘help the future’ of both children so they can pursue college and university studies.

The fitness coach’s body was discovered by a dog walker in one of the ponds in the Lake around 5am on Monday, triggering the park to be closed off until lunchtime as police investigated. He had last been seen by friends around 10pm on Sunday night near the Lane Ends pub.

Preston Police say they are not treating the death as suspicious.

His girlfriend Beth said earlier this week: “He is incredibly loved and deeply missed.”

One of Steve’s friends, and part of the team behind his personal training business, Roz Gordon said they were also planning to run a 5k in the coming months to raise money in Steve’s memory for charities he supported.

How you can donate

There is a Justgiving page set up in Ste Wardle’s memory and donations can be made there.

Did you know Ste? You can leave your tributes in the comments below