Huge fundraiser launched after heartbreaking death of 3-year-old Noah Woods

Three-old Noah Woods was reported missing on the afternoon of Tuesday when he became separated from a relative after visiting the playground in Merriam Close. Noah, who was non verbal, partially deaf and undergoing tests for autism, was reported to have run off down the alleyway beside the playground towards the new-build housing estate and Decoy Pond. A large-scale missing person investigation was launched involving specialist police search teams, assisted by emergency services colleagues from HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, the National Police Air Service and the Metropolitan Police Dive Team, along with volunteers from SULSAR (Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue).

Further support was provided by the East of England Ambulance Service – including Suffolk HART – and the Environment Agency. 1,300 members of the public also assisted with the search for Noah. On Wednesday, officers from the Metropolitan Police Dive Team recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond in Brantham. On Thursday afternoon, Suffolk Constabulary confirmed that the child has been formally identified as Noah Woods. Noah’s death is not being treated as suspicious but police still have a number of enquiries to complete before submitting a file for the Coroner.

A fundraiser launched by Good Dads Club has so far raised more than £48,000 towards the family’s expenses during this “heart-breaking time.” The fundraiser states: “In light of the news regarding three-year-old Noah Woods, Good Dads Club is calling on our community to give whatever they can to ease the overwhelming burden on his family during this heartbreaking time. While no amount of money can undo these life altering events, every single financial contribution will go directly toward helping Noah’s family’s expenses, navigate daily bills, and take the necessary time off work to grieve without the added strain of financial worry. Please consider donating today, no contribution is too small and share this campaign so we can surround Noah’s loved ones with the solidarity they desperately need.”

Superintendent Tom Pearse said on Thursday: “I want to once again extend our thoughts and deepest sympathy to Noah’s family and thank them for their patience and understanding throughout the searches.

“It was clear from the media coverage we saw that they not only had all of Suffolk behind them, but an outpouring of goodwill from across the entire country and beyond.

“I know how grateful Noah’s family are for all the support and kind messages they have received, but would reiterate our plea to now allow them the time, space and privacy they need at this deeply distressing time.

“I would like to express my thanks again to everyone that provided help and support over an intense 24-hour period of the search. This includes all of our officers and staff, along with the numerous emergency services colleagues and volunteers from SULSAR.

“Finally, I cannot pay tribute enough to the response from the local community and people who travelled from further afield to assist with the search for Noah.

“Help was provided in a number of ways – the vast majority were out searching the village and surrounding area, but there were also people coordinating the volunteers, along with those who ensured the facilities were available and open, while others provided food and drink or directed traffic.

“This was a case where the people of Suffolk rallied together and showed the county at its best in what transpired to be the most tragic of circumstances.”

Writing on Facebook on Thursday, Noah’s father, Rhys Woods, said: “As I’m sure you have all seen, the body that was found in Decoy Pond is our little Noah.

“There are no words to describe the pain of this loss, we are all absolutely heartbroken, Noah was the sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give, and we are going to miss him so very much.”

He added: “It seems he has made an impact across the whole nation, you have all taken Noah into you’re own hearts, with all the overwhelming help, we were all just trying to bring him home to us safe and sound.”

Noah’s father thanked volunteers and authorities who “came together” to search for Noah.

“The compassion shown by all of you will never be forgotten by us, and brought us comfort and strength at the darkest time of our lives.

“This was the most heartbreaking outcome for us, we were just hoping that he would be hiding somewhere obvious where someone could find him, that’s what we kept telling ourselves the whole time.”