'An amazing lad': Tributes flood in to Wolverhampton man who did much to help the homeless of the city

Lee Barton - known as 'Bart' - passed away suddenly last Thursday, leaving three children, twin girls aged eight and a son aged 14 who were described as his "pride and joy."

The 45-year-old was passionate about helping people in the city who are living on the streets and volunteered for a number of organisations as well as taking part in sleep outs and organising a crowdfunding campaign for the homeless.

He worked for Wolverhampton Homeless Outreach team every Thursday handing out food and hot drinks and volunteered at Manna Soup Kitchen.

He had been volunteering and helping out at Harvest Temple for 15 years and Helping Hearts Outreach where co-ordinator Zara Sands called him "more of a brother than a friend or volunteer".

His brother Danny called him 'an amazing lad' and a group of 200 people close to Lee met on Saturday night (January 31) to remember him.

Danny said: "The family have been overwhelmed with the response from the people of Wolverhampton.

"There are thousands of messages on Facebook about him; it blew my mind how many people he touched.

"It was so lovely to see them, it has given my family so much peace and has made it so much easier for us to grieve with happiness.

"[He] helped everybody from looking out for the homeless to volunteering with the soup kitchen and raising funds.

"The funeral is going to be out of the world and I’m writing this not with sadness but with happiness; it is just so overwhelming over the last three days knowing how much he was loved."

Wayne Vernon, from the Wolverhampton Homeless Outreach Team, said: "Lee gave so much of himself to help the homeless and vulnerable for years including working at soup kitchens, night shelters and on the streets and everyone is saddened by his passing."

Many people posted on the That's Bostin Facebook Page, with Carl Bowles saying: "Truly a special person brother. What is Wolverhampton going to do without you? We are going to miss you."

Em Ma said: "Tonight the world lost another beautiful soul in Lee Barton and words fail me.

"The love you showed to those less fortunate and the homeless not only on the streets in and around Wolverhampton, but you reached out to help anyone you could, no matter what lengths you had to go to."

A song has been dedicated to Lee by West Midlands musician Banton, who produced the song using artificial intelligence and published it on YouTube.

Banton said: "Hopefully it will go in a small way to keep Lee's light shining. Any profits from the song will go to his family."

A fundraiser for Mr Barton's children has been set up by Amy Cullis and has already received more than 100 donations totalling more than £4,500 towards a target of £6,000.

You can donate to it here.