Generous donors from as far afield as the United States have helped shatter a fundraising target to support the family of tragic Devin Gordon following the teenager’s passing last week.
Hundreds gathered at Bathgate’s Balbardie Park over the weekend for a mass release of balloons as a heartfelt tribute to the 13-year-old football star.
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Classmates attended the vigil for the Hearts-daft youngster as inflatable footballs, love hearts and inflatables emblazoned with his name were set off into the sky.
However, thousands more have joined an online memorial to Devin after a GoFundMe page was set up by the mother of a teammate from youth football club Bathgate Juniors.
Nicola Boyd, whose son Junior represented the club alongside the number four, initially set up the online crowdfunder to “take a load off the family’s mind” but has been inundated with kind-hearted donations pushing the total to almost £23,000 - well over the original £18,000 goal.
In a comment posted on the page, Nicola revealed some had arrived from across the globe, including from those in the USA who had spotted the fundraiser online.
She wrote: "Cannot believe the kindness of everyone and how this handsome young lad has touched the hearts of many all around the world.
"I've had messages to the fund me page from families in USA."
Heartbroken family members told how their lives would never be the same again following the death of their “precious boy.
In a statement released through the British Transport Police, they added: "Thank you to everyone that’s paid tribute to Devin and those that have sent us condolence messages during this extremely difficult time.
"We would like to ask that our privacy is respected as we come to terms with the tragic loss of our young son.
"Devin will live in our hearts forever".
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Friends have organised for the Tynecastle crowd to pay an emotional tribute to Devin in the 13th minute of Hearts home clash with Celtic on Wednesday evening.
Supporters are encouraged to take part in a minute's applause for the teenager during the cinch Premiership fixture when the Glasgow side arrive in Gorgie.
In a statement on Monday, Hearts said: "The loss of Devin has been felt across Scottish football, with tributes being paid to him during last weekend’s Scottish Cup ties. Social media has been awash with well wishes, with a real coming together of the Hearts family.
"This is, clearly, an overwhelming time for the Gordon family.
"Devin’s mum, Jen, is a much-loved member of staff at Hearts and the club has been, privately, in contact with her during this difficult period. The thoughts of everyone at Hearts are with Jen and her family, and we will continue to be there for them at their time of need.
"Our fans have organised a 13th-minute applause during Wednesday’s match with Celtic in memory of Devin, and this is something the club is only too happy to support. We will be further celebrating the life of Devin on Wednesday night and we hope to confirm details of this shortly."
It added: "For now, we think of Devin, Jen and the Gordon family, and we ask any supporter of any club to talk to someone if they do not feel okay.
"The Hearts family is a big one, the Scottish football family is even bigger and together, we can all be there to offer help to those who need it."
Donations to the fundraiser can be made here.
