Heartbreaking tributes to 'much-loved' dad who collapsed and died in Tesco superstore
TRIBUTES have been paid to a “much-loved” dad who died after collapsing in a Tesco superstore.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money to help his grieving family with funeral costs.
Nikkie Louise Holland and her ex-partner Craig Clarke, who was good friends with Ali, launched the appeal on the fundraising website.
Nikkie said: “Ali didn’t have a bad bone in his body and he was a much-loved character who had a wide range of friends all over Birmingham.
“He was a really, really genuine person. Some of Ali’s friends only spoke to him the day before.
“It was just so sudden and we are all heartbroken.”
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Nikkie, 30, from Tyseley, Birmingham has also experienced the pain of being a bereaved parent as she lost her 10-week-old daughter Maddison to cot death.
She said: “Although I didn’t meet Ali, it takes me back to when I lost my daughter, so I wanted to do something from one bereaved mother to another.
“We want to help with the costs of the funeral and allow the family to grieve.
“His funeral will be packed out because so many people knew Ali and we want to give him the brilliant send-off he deserves.”
The GoFundMe page describes Ali as “the life and soul of the party” and a “top lad” who will be greatly missed.
Craig wrote: “He was a great son, brother, father and friend, let’s help the family, the only way we can at such a sad time.”
Hundreds of shoppers were evacuated from the superstore on Sunday after Ali’s body was found.
Paramedics and police officers rushed to the scene but he could not be revived.
A Tesco spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that a customer passed away in our Hodge Hill store yesterday evening.
“We’d like to offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”
Ali’s death is not being treated as suspicious and has been referred to the coroner.
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