Friends of the much-loved Bermondsey “gentle giant” have started raising money to pay for a proper funeral, amid fears he will be buried by Southwark Council.
Meurig Gomer Wyn-Roberts, known as Gomer Roberts, was found dead above the Greyhound Pub, Peckham, in May but the police and the Coroner’s Court have not found his next of kin.
Gomer’s body is now with Southwark Social Services and preparations are underway for a ‘pauper funeral’ unless a next of kin is found or the money is raised to pay for a proper burial.
Publicans across Bermondsey and Peckham are now said to be organising themselves to claim Gomer’s body and raise the money needed.
The Old Bank Pub in Bermondsey started collecting money on June 14 and have so far raised around £1,000 of the £3,000 needed.
Michelle Crawford, of the Old Bank pub, said: “We would like to thank all these people for their cash donations.
“Gomer was the gentle giant of Bermondsey and was well known for his charity work.
“Any extra money we raise we’ll donate to a children’s charity because he loved helping kids.
“Everyone at The Old Bank, the good people in Bermondsey and everyone that knew him would like to give him the farewell funeral he deserves.”
The News previously reported how friends of Gomer’s had been left in the dark by the Coroner’s Court as they refused to give any information or update on whether they had found his family.
Originally from Wales, a massive online appeal to find any next of kin has been launched to help Gomer receive the send-off he deserves.
To donate to Gomer’s funeral fund, visit www.gofundme.com/29ewwf8