A FRIEND has begun crowdfunding to cover the cost of a funeral for a man ‘with a massive heart’ after his body was found at a flat in Great Lever.

John Baxendale was discovered dead in Aldersyde Street last Friday evening. David Hesketh has since been charged with his murder.

Paying tribute, friend Vicki Lomax, described Mr Baxendale as "a big softy with a massive heart" and said "anyone who knew him was lucky to do so’.

Mrs Lomax, from Great Lever, first met the 32-year-old in 2014 when she was helping to feed the homeless.

She has launched a go fund me page to ‘give him the best send off we can possibly give him’.

Mrs Lomax, aged 30, said: “On Friday, September 14, 2018, a dear friend was stolen away from us.

“Anyone who knew John could tell you that he truly had a heart of gold. He was the kindest person I knew. His downfall was always putting other people’s needs first, which is what lead to this awful situation.

“John had a hard life and things were now beginning to look better. He had a flat that he loved and was slowly furnishing it to his tastes. He was ready to decorate it and make it his new home.

“For the first time in such a long time he felt happy and content. He could see a future and really wanted to turn his life around. Which is why it makes this so much more cruel.

“He was only 32. He hadn’t even begun life yet.”

Mum-of-two Mrs Lomax formerly ran the Bolton’s Helping Hands Facebook group to provide hot meals for people living rough in the town centre.

It was in carrying out these acts of kindness that she first met Mr Baxendale in 2014.

When the group closed, Mrs Lomax remained in contact, offering help whenever it was needed, and said they became close friends.

She said: “John was a really lovely man. He certainly didn’t deserve to die and especially not in the circumstances which he did. I don’t think many have a bad word to say about him, most would tell you that he wouldn’t hurt a fly. He was a big softy with a massive heart and any one who knew him was lucky to do so.”

Police launched a murder investigation after they were called by the ambulance service to the flat shortly after 7.35pm on Friday, September 14.

A woman was also found injured at the property and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Hesketh, aged 47, of no fixed abode, has been charged with Mr Baxendale’s murder. He appeared at Bolton Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning. He was remanded in custody to appear at Manchester Crown Court today.

On learning of Mr Baxendale’s death, Mrs Lomax decided to launch a crowdfunding page to raise as much money as possible to cover the cost of her friend’s funeral.

She said: “Funerals are costly and this was unforeseen. He deserves to have the nicest send off we can give him. I am hoping that the public can help me to do this.

“Any help is always appreciated and any money raised will go directly towards John’s funeral one way or another.”

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/pj2j2j-to-help-with-funeral-costs.