Support for family of Kiwi stabbed to death in England

David Savage with his son Jak and daughter Erin. Photo / Supplied via GoFundMe

The family of a Kiwi man who was stabbed to death are being offered support from a trust set up in the memory of a teenager who also died from knife wounds.

David Savage, 42, died after he was allegedly stabbed near his home in the suburb of Gosforth, in the northern English city of Newcastle, early last Saturday.

A 17-year-old boy was charged with his murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

Mr Savage's partner and two children released a statement through Northumbria police expressing their shock and grief following his death, the Chronicle reported.

"He was deeply loved by his family and he was a committed partner to Donna and his children, Jak and Erin. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

"We are all devastated by his death but his two beautiful children will help get us all through this. Donna will raise Jak and Erin in a way that will make their daddy proud."

The Chronicle reported Mr Savage's family were now being supported by the Glen Corner Trust.

The trust was set up following the death of South Shields teenager Glen Corner, who was stabbed to death on his 16th birthday.

Spokesman for the trust, Mark Wood, told the Chronicle that Mr Savage's family had lost everything.

"Donna has got to start from scratch. David was killed outside their front door and she doesn't want to go back there."

The Glen Corner Trust offered practical, emotional and financial support to families who had lost their loved ones to attacks involving knives, the Newcastle Chronicle reported.

Mr Wood told the Newcastle Chronicle he approached a member of the family and told them about the trust.

"I explained what we did and that we are there to support Donna and the kids and that we can help towards funeral costs.

"It's good to know that even almost 10 years after Glen died we can still help others. The family take a lot of heart from knowing Glen's legacy lives on."

Savage grew up in the "idyllic surroundings of New Zealand but as a young man he always wanted to explore the world", the family said.

"He had lots of friends who enjoyed his fun loving and generous personality."

The charged teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denied killing Savage, his barrister Michael Hodson told the Chronicle.

A trial date has been set for February 29 but the teen, who has been remanded in custody, will return to court for a plea and case management hearing in December.