Family of James Cook, who died after he was stabbed on Castlegate, Newark, launch GoFundMe page to help his three daughters and pay for his funeral

Funds are being raised to help provide for the future of a Newark father of three’s teenaged daughters after his tragic death.

James Cook, 40, died late on Wednesday night (April 30) after he was stabbed on Castlegate in Newark. Brandon Byrne, 22, of of Winston Court, Newark, was arrested and has been charged with his murder.

He leaves his devastated wife Adele and three daughters — Lilly-May, 17, 16-year-old Olivia, and Ruby Doodles, 14 — and Adele’s sister Ellie Milao has now set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for his funeral, as well as set up a trust for his three girls.

“That’s what he wanted to do when he passed away, to leave something behind for his daughters for their future,” Ellie said, “But he didn’t get the chance to do that.”

Known to his friends and family as ‘Cookie’, James was described by his wife Adele as a ‘big cuddly teddy bear’ who lived for his family and animals.

“They are going to miss out on so much,” Ellie said, “He won’t get to walk his girls down the aisle or pay for their weddings.

“If other people were in need he’d do anything it took to help them and support them.”

As Cookie was so young, no provision or funds have been made for his funeral, and his family and friends are keen to give him the send off he deserves. You can make a donation to the GoFundme page at https://gofund.me/4482349e

“Cookie was a cheeky, loveable rogue,” Ellie said, “The photo on the GoFundMe with him sticking his tongue out summed him up perfectly, he was a joker and a clown who didn’t take life too seriously.

“But at the end of it all, he was all about his kids and his family.”

She said that Cookie was also well-known to be an animal lover, and the family had several pets including Diesel the French Bulldog, pocket bulldog Bambi, three cats, and also snakes.

Ellie said that his family were all struggling to process what had happened, especially Ruby Doodles, as she is nicknamed by her loved ones, as she is autistic and has been visiting her father’s memorial tree every day.

The outpouring of support from the Newark community has seen Adele and the family receive many messages on social media offering sympathies, from people who used to work with Cookie sending their condolences and remembering his fun antics from his school days.