A GOFUNDME page for Simon Daniels, the Winsford personal trainer who died paddleboarding in Dovestone Reservoir, has raised more than £21,000.

Set up by some of Simon’s friends on Friday, October 25, including Winsford-based former X-Factor contestant Sophie Bond, the page has so far attracted 862 donations, including two of £1,000.

Simon, a popular personal trainer, went missing at the Peak District beauty spot on Sunday, October 20, after falling from an inflatable paddleboard into the water along with a female companion.

The women was pulled from the water by an onlooker, but Simon sadly was not.

The 29-year-old’s body was eventually found by a specialist police underwater search team following a four-day operation on Wednesday, October 23.

Exercise was Simon's 'passion' according to his family, and he loved helping people become the best version of themselvesExercise was Simon's 'passion' according to his family, and he loved helping people become the best version of themselves (Image: Newsquest)

On the GoFundMe page, Simon’s friends call his death ‘a painfully tragic event which has brought everyone to a standstill’.  

They wrote: “His heart was pure and he was unapologetically himself.

“Funny doesn’t cut it. He was hilarious.

“He had this power to bring everyone together. He just wanted everyone to be friends. He avoided drama.

“He loved love and he loved life, and even at the darkest of times, he still managed to light up the room.

“As his friends, we are living a nightmare, but for his family we cannot even begin to imagine how they are processing and dealing with the tragic event of loosing the most loved man we have ever known.

“We have set up this Gofundme page to support his family at this difficult time, whether it be help towards funeral costs, Simon’s finances, or to a charity of their choice for Simon.

“Whatever we can do to support the family as a community would be appreciated.”

Well-wishers soon added their voices to Simon’s friends’ tribute.

One described him as ‘an incredible spirit’ with ‘bucketfuls of character’, while another spoke of ‘the imprint you’ve left on our hearts forever.’  

An inquest into Simon’s death was opened at North Manchester Coroner’s Court in Rochdale on Friday, November 1, before being adjourned until March 13, 2025.

After Simon’s body was discovered, Detective Inspector Laura Crossley, from Oldham CID, confirmed his death is not being treated as suspicious.