TOUCHING tributes have been paid to a “very special dad” who was killed in an attack close to a Canvey pub.

More than £2,000 was raised in less than six hours yesterday as a fundraiser was launched to support the family of Matt Portwood after his death in the early hours of Saturday morning.

On Saturday morning, he was found injured in the car park to Iceland in Furtherwick Road and passed away at the scene.

Tributes have been flooding social media to the dad, who worked as a doorman at venues across south Essex.

A friend, who asked not to be named, said: “Matthew, or Matt, was a funny, caring, hardworking father-of-two. He lived to help others and served in the army before sadly being invalided out.

“He was also a fantastic artist and had an ear for music.

“He also had one of the wickedest senses of humor you will find.”

They added: “I have known Matt since I was seven or eight when we lived opposite each other. We grew up hanging out in the same group of friends as teenagers and then he moved to Southend where I was living.

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“The reaction has been shock and an outpouring of goodwill.

It was nice to see how many people who I don’t know are saying the same wonderful things about Matt that I knew about him.

“The general theme is we lost one of the good ones, and his loss leaves a space which can’t be filled.”

A fundraising page was launched yesterday morning in a bid to support Matt’s family and to “give him the send-off he deserves”.

More than £2,240 was raised in just six hours, surpassing the initial goal of raising £2,000.

The GoFundMe, launched by Victoria Hawkins, said: “As Canvey is aware we lost a very special dad and dear friend to many in the early hours on February 4.

“As you can imagine this is a shock to everyone especially his children family and friends, Matt was known by many for many different reasons.

“As a family we want to give Matt the send of he deserves and have this page up in hope of support for Matt and his children at this very sad and tragic time.”

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-fund-for-matt?