A grieving fiancée is in shock of how quickly her fundraiser target to bring her partner home was reached within days of setting it up.

Louise Lathbury has been left in awe as she thanks those who have helped her raise over £18,000 to bring her partner 36-year-old Julian 'Jay' Thorn home after he died in a road traffic accident in Ukraine.

Jay was serving in the Ukraine army and was using his experience as a former British solider.

Louise learned about the crash on Sunday, May 21 - and was later told that any costs to bring Jay home would need to be covered by her, after the hostilities in Ukraine made the insurance 'invalid'.

She then set up a go fund me page, where she asked friends, family and strangers for help to bring him home.

A week later, she reached the fundraiser goal.

 "I am overwhelmed by the generosity and support from everyone who have donated. I can’t believe we have reached the goal so quickly," Louise said.

"I only set up the GoFundMe page just over a week ago. It’s incredible. I am so grateful, and will be able to get Jay home once all the legalities are complete.

"I would like to thank everyone for their incredible support.’

Jay met Louise in Reading in 2019 at their then-local pub, where a topic of cars - specifically BMWs - helped them fall in love with each other.

The pair then returned home to Hexham in 2020, Jay's favourite place and hometown. He also ran a pub in Allendale before leaving for Ukraine.