An online fundraising page has helped raise thousands in less than 24 hours to give a war veteran an appropriate send-off after it emerged he may be given a pauper's funeral.

Korean War veteran Major David Sharp B.E.M. died on Remembrance Sunday while on a trip to St Mawgan near Newquay in Cornwall, where he was a part-time lecturer at the survival school.

More than £5,000 has been donated to help give the 88-year-old Korean prisoner of war a "well deserved" send off.

Friend Emma Barritt set up the JustGiving page.

She said: "It has come to light that there was no will and no family and I feel that it's only fair to try and raise the money needed to give him a well deserved send off."

Major Sharp was a multiple escapee and even shot as a prisoner of war. He was the 476th – and last – Commonwealth prisoner to be released by the Chinese at the end of the Korean War.

He worked as a para, and specialist jungle warfare instructor and served behind enemy lines with the US military.

After seeing the appeal online, Sittingbourne based charity Help Our Wounded Royal Marines and Supporting Arms stepped in to help, donating the full £5,000 fundraising target.

The charity was established in February 2013 and helps various military causes with annual fundraising events and regular benefactors.

Chris Falcke, a founding member and trustee of the charity, said: "We didn't want to have the fundraising target fall short and wanted to make sure it happens.

"He earned the right to more than he's getting. The cheque is on its way!"

In addition to the charity's contribution, more than £1,000 has been donated online.

Friends of David Sharp spoke this week about their fears they would not be able to hold a funeral or memorial service in Ashford, because of the difficulties trying to track down Major Sharp’s family.

Col Peter Bishop said: “We don’t know who is going to claim the body. So far as we know, there are no family members.

"We just want to see the old boy given a decent burial and to say our farewells" - Col Peter Bishop

“As friends we have no legal rights to hold a funeral on his behalf. It will be done by the state or the county and will be inexpensive.

“We wanted to ask if we could claim his ashes to hold a service here in Ashford, but we can’t do anything as no relatives have come forward. We’ve hit a total brick wall.

“We just want to see the old boy given a decent burial and to say our farewells.”

Major Sharp was awarded with a number of accolades throughout his life, including the Korean Medal of Honor and the Nobel Peace Prize Medal.

In addition, he was also president of the Second World War Escape Lines Memorial Society and a member of the British Olympic Association.

Major Sharp also worked as Ashford Borough Council’s recreation officer from the late 1970s to 1989.

He recently worked with the United Nations and was dedicated to raising money for military charities.

Last week, KentOnline reported the police discovery of a collection of wartime memorabilia in a block of flats in Hackfield, South Ashford. The raid is believed to have centred on Major Sharp's home.

A police spokesman said: “Officers had cause to visit an address at a block of flats in Hackfield, Ashford, at around 6.30pm on Tuesday, November 15. Upon entry, they discovered a number of items of wartime memorabilia.

“The Ministry of Defence’s explosive ordnance disposal team attended to assess the items. On confirming the items were safe, residents were able to return to their homes at around 10pm.

“Officers have been carrying out further routine inquiries at the address as, with so many items, it takes time. The public was not in any danger. No one has been arrested. Inquiries are continuing."

The JustGiving fundraising page can be found here.