The community has rallied together to support a family after a young father tragically died aged just 33, leaving behind three children and his pregnant partner.

David Collins, a care support worker, died after a year-long battle with a rare form of leukaemia.

He leaves behind three children - Gracie Mae Mycroft, nine, Holly Collins, eight, and Henry Collins, 11 months – as well as pregnant partner, Amy Ellis, 35.

A fundraising page set up by Mr Collins’ brother-in-law, James Wood, exceeded its target of £3,000 to help the family in just four days.

Mr Wood, 28, said: “David was a family man and loved spending time with his children.

“When David wasn’t working he would spend hours with the children doing the activities, from making things to baking cakes. Amy is pregnant and due in July or August, the fundraising page is just to help them, it’s hard enough let alone with one income.

The family is still suffering, I don’t think reality has set in, it takes time.”

Mr Collins was one of just 31 in the world to be diagnosed with the rare form of cancer.

He was admitted into hospital on January 1 for chemotherapy, which weakened his immune system and he died on Wednesday, April 11.

Mr Woods said: “David knew he had the cancer, at Christmas he looked fit and healthy. There was no sign of him looking ill.

“David ended up getting an illness, then he fought that and got another.

“The hospital said if he got sick again he would not survive and he died last Wednesday.

“My fundraising page is for the family and kids to help them.”

Visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/davidcollins.