A TEENAGER says he has been “overwhelmed” by the response to a fundraising campaign to help pay for his dad’s funeral.

Friends, family and colleagues of popular Chepstow dad Steve Pidden, known to friends as Stumpy, rallied together to smash a fundraising target of £2,500 in just four days.

Kim Davies set up the Crowdfunding campaign after her step-dad, Mr Pidden, died unexpectedly on March 24, leaving behind his only child 17-year-old Josh.

The sixth form student at Chepstow Comprehensive School was left with the task of arranging the funeral with little money, but he was overwhelmed when friends raised £2,500 in four days.

“I cannot believe how many people knew my dad and how much support I have had,” said Josh, from Bulwark, Chepstow.

“Everyone has been amazing and I’m totally overwhelmed. I’d like to thank my mum and my sister Kim for taking all the pressure from me and being my rock at the terrible time.

“My dad was and always will be my best friend and the best dad anyone could wish for.”

Mr Pidden, 55, was well-known in Chepstow, having played for Chepstow RFC for around 15 years where he became known as Stumpy.

Steve Reece, a former teammate, said Mr Pidden was a “generous and fun-loving” man.

“He always had a smile on his face and really enjoyed his rugby,” said Mr Reece.

“I remember we played together in Canada on a tour in 1982 and won every game.

“We played together in the centre and he was known as a fearsome tackler.”

Mr Pidden had been due to start a new job as an HGV driver before his unexpected passing from a suspected heart attack.

“He had literally just got to where he had wanted to in life,” said Ms Davies, aged 30, from Chepstow.

“He was fit and well and was happy with his girlfriend who he worshipped. The news came as such a shock. He was the best father to Josh and the best step-step-father to me and my brother.”

Mr Pidden’s funeral will be held on Thursday at St Christopher’s church in Bulwark, Chepstow, and will be followed by a reception at Chepstow Rugby Club. Carol Redfearn-Holmes, Mr Pidden’s girlfriend, said she was “blown away” by the response to the fundraising appeal.

“Steve loved his son Josh with a passion as we all do our children but the bond they had was so special. Josh was his world,” she said.

“To say I loved Steve does not seem enough.He was the kindest most caring happy man I have been blessed with.” The fundraising total stands at £2,800, with any further donations supporting the family. To donate visit bit.ly/2oR7nLZ.