Ex-partner of homeless man who died on streets of Eastbourne appeals for help

Stuart Watson, who was 45 and homeless, was found dead in his tent in Hyde Gardens on October 31 and since then his ex-partner Charlotte Martin has been trying to raise money on GoFundMe for the funeral so her daughter can say a ‘proper’ goodbye to her father.

Miss Martin said, “He was my partner for five years. He was a brilliant, loving and caring partner and father to our daughter before things changed. Unfortunately, Stuart has got no other family, apart from a son and daughter who live in Scotland.

“I am trying to raise money to be able to give him a proper funeral service in which the people who loved him, my daughter especially, can say goodbye. He was still a good man, regardless of how he was living before he died, and deserves to be laid to rest with dignity.”

Miss Martin said she is Mr Watson’s next of kin which means all of the funeral costs have fallen to her.

She said, “I understand that it’s a lot of money, but unfortunately funerals cost even more than what I am trying to raise. I am hoping to get help from the Department for Work and Pensions, which will maybe cover half the cost.

“Stuart should be allowed to have a proper funeral service where people, and there are many, can say goodbye to him including his own daughter, just like anyone else would. He died in an awful situation and the least he deserves is a real funeral, with just a small service,

“I will be grateful for any help.”

To donate towards Mr Watson’s funeral, visit www.gofundme.com/f/stuart-watson-funeral