More than £24,000 raised after Shoreham sea tragedy

More than £24,000 has been raised for a family after four people died following an incident in the sea near Shoreham Fort. The fundraiser was launched after Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his wife Zeina Alayn, 37, and their daughters Sara El-Khawas, 14, and Saja El-Khawas, six, lost their lives.

Emergency services were called on August 18 to reports of four people in difficulty in the water. Sussex Police said Hassan, Zeina and Sara died at the scene, while Saja was taken to hospital in a critical condition. Police confirmed on August 21 that she had also died.

Adnan Hmidan, chair of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, launched the fundraiser, which exceeded its target and raised more than £24,000 in three days. He said the money would help with funeral arrangements and repatriation to Lebanon, as well as the welfare, care and educational support of two surviving children.