More than £12,000 has been raised in six hours to help bring a missing Workington man home.
Nicholas Degraff was last seen in Great Clifton on Sunday, December 12 and despite extensive searches by police, Coastguard, Maryport Inshore Rescue and other agencies, plus mass community search parties formed, he has not been found.
His dog Leia, a German Shepherd, was located along the River Derwent not far from where he set off from.
His jacket was found in the River Derwent and divers have been drafted in to search the waterway.
However, his family say they have been told by Cumbria police that today was last day for divers to complete their search and that officers will not be able to assist in any further extensive searches.
A friend of the family, Mackenzie Leder, has set up a Gofundme page to raise money to pay for a private dive team and investigators to continue the search.
It has so far raised £12,150 from 876 donors.
Mackenzie said: “[The news from Cumbria police has left] Nicholas’ family devastated they cannot provide Nicholas with closure and lay him to rest at such a difficult time.
“At the request of Nicholas’ friends and go-ahead from his family, the Gofund page has been set up.
“A great thanks to all who have been involved and given their time to search for Nicholas.
“The family are exceptionally grateful for this and continue to be supportive off all involved in searching for their beloved son, brother and uncle.
“Any donation no matter how small will go towards the family contracting private divers and investigators to recover Nicholas and lay him to rest.
“All donations will be paid direct to Nicholas’ sister Charlotte to commission the work and at the request of Charlotte any monies remaining will be donated to local charities.”
A police spokesman said: “We continue to review the search areas and we have not stood down the search effort.
“As and when we identify further areas for search then we will continue to task the underwater assets.”
Chief Inspector Lee Skelton, of Cumbria police, said “There have been extensive searches in the effort to find Nicholas Degraff who has been missing since December 12.
“The searches over the last 11 days include use of licensed search officers, specialist police dogs, North West underwater search team, local mountain rescue teams, HM Coastguard and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.
“This has included focused searches of the River Derwent, review of CCTV as well as wider land-based searches of the relevant area.
“These have incorporated members of the public, friends and family of Nicholas who have assisted us cover a large area where it is believed he may have been.
“The search permits are constantly under review by a specialist police search advisor based on intelligence we receive and I would continue to encourage anyone with any information to contact us.”
Nicholas is described as 5ft 10in, of slim build and with short, brown hair.
He has tattoos on his face and neck with spacer ear piercings.
He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black jogging bottoms, work boots and carrying an Iceland carrier bag.
Nicholas also had in his possession a 3M SPEED GLAS black welding mask – likely carried in a bag – which would be quite distinctive if found, police said.
Anyone with any other information is urged to report it at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit or call 101.
To donate to the fund, visit https://gofund.me/8413d9a8
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