Members of public moved by the murder of midwife Samantha East donate £8,000 for her funeral costs

A GoFundMe page set up by a friend of murdered midwife Samantha Eastwood has raised more than £8,000

Members of the public touched by the murder of much-loved midwife Samantha Eastwood have tonight raised nearly £8,000 towards her funeral costs.

As suspected killer Michael Stirling appeared in court in handcuffs supporters rallied around her family and friends as they launched an online plea for donations.

A GoFundMe page set up by the hospital worker’s friend Beth Taylor on Sunday – a day after her body was found in a disused salt quarry – has already netted more than three quarters of its £10,000 target.

The midwife’s heartbroken sister care worker Gemma Eastwood shared the post and wrote: ‘This has been set up so we can give my sister the send off she deserves.’

Among hundreds of people pledging cash to the devastated family is one of her patients Sue George who paid tribute to her in a heartfelt post, saying: ‘So sorry for your loss. Your daughter was truly amazing and helped me and my little one through the hardest time.

‘Only a few weeks ago Sam cradled my little fella and expressed just how special he was but little did she know she was the special one, a true inspiration and loved by many. Our thoughts are with your family, friends and Sam’s colleagues. Fly high beautiful.’

Samantha was allegedly murdered by Stirling, who is the brother-in law of her ex-fiancé John Peake (together left) and married to Mr Peake's sister Katie Stirling (together right)

Samantha was allegedly murdered by Stirling, who is the brother-in law of her ex-fiancé John Peake (together left) and married to Mr Peake’s sister Katie Stirling (together right)

Tributes have poured in for Samantha, who was described as a lovely lady as well as a skilled and compassionate midwife

A message on the website page, seen around the globe and responded to with generous donations by hundreds, reads: ‘Samantha was a lovely young woman who helped to bring so many lives into this world. She had a bright future ahead of her and sadly this was taken away far too soon. Samantha story has been followed by midwives and NHS workers worldwide.

‘They have been touched by the kinds words from mothers Samantha had cared for and colleagues who have worked alongside her. Samantha has been described as a warm, gentle, kind woman and will be remembered for her amazing efforts as a midwife and will be truly missed by many.

‘Samantha’s extended NHS family would like to support her mother Carole, and sister Gemma in their time of grief by contributing to Samantha’s funeral costs and to ensure one of our shining stars has the send off she deserves.’  

Michael Stirling has been charged

Stephen Stirling has been bailed

Michael Stirling (left) has been charged while Stephen Stirling (right) has been bailed

The overwhelming support for Ms Eastwood, 28, comes after her saddened ex-fiancee John Peake visited the home they once shared to lay flowers in tribute. They split up in January and called off their wedding, which had been due to be held two months ago.

His public gesture followed the first court appearance of his brother-in-law – his sister Katie’s husband fencing contractor Stirling, 32, in the dock on a murder charge. 

He was accused of the crime which carries a life sentence on guilt or conviction on Sunday night – 36 hours after the midwife’s body was found dumped in the quarry in remote woodland in Caverswall, near Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. 

Grim-faced Stirling, handcuffed as he was flanked by two guards in the dock, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth. He did not enter a plea.

Bungling prosecutors and court officials slipped up by getting the dates of his offence wrong on the charge sheet.

A charge read out to Stirling at North Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court in Newcastle accused him of murdering Ms Eastwood between July 26 (Thurs) and August 05 (Sunday).

‘Happy and bubbly’ Ms Eastwood vanished after leaving the Royal Stoke Hospital after a night shift, having complained to a colleague she was being threatened.

The midwife's body was found dumped at this disused salt quarry in Caverswall near Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday - eight days after she vanished

The midwife’s body was found dumped at this disused salt quarry in Caverswall near Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday – eight days after she vanished

A Staffordshire Police spokesperson admitted ‘the court sheet had the wrong dates.’

The midwife was last seen alive leaving work at 7.45am on Friday last week, July 27. Her body was discovered eight days later on Saturday August 04 – showing the charge sheet had two wrong dates. 

Her body was found in a quarry, which contains no water, in remote woodland in Caverswall a day after her younger sister Gemma Eastwood, 26, had made an emotional public appeal begging her to come home.

After the grim discovery the midwife’s heartbroken family publically thanked supporters who ‘tried their best to help.’

A post mortem to discover the cause of death has been carried out but further tests are needed.

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