Generous donations made in tribute to "loving" Alex Liddle have reached more than £5,000 in just two days.
The online crowdfunding campaign smashed its £5,000 target with the majority of the money, £4,000, raised in the first day.
More than 300 people have pledged money to the memorial fund, after the 23-year-old from Seaham died after going missing over the weekend.
Northumbria Police confirmed his body had been discovered at the Kielder Water beauty spot in rural Northumberland on Sunday morning, 70 miles from his County Durham home.
His friends started an online fundraising page to create a memorial to "keep his memory alive".
The GoFundMe page had reached £5,065 since it was set up on Monday.
It said: "We have set up this page to raise funds for a memorial for our good friend Alex Liddle, he was a loving family man who cherished his family, girlfriend and friends.
"This money will go towards keeping his memory alive forever. He will always be in our hearts. We love you Alex."
Calum Little, who set up the page, said he had been friends with Alec since school and described him as "kind and generous".
Calum said: "He would do anything for anyone.
"We've been talking about planting a tree for him, or getting a chair.
"He loved scenery, he always liked to sit and look out, so hopefully we can get something near the beach."
Alex was reported missing after he failed to turn up to work on Friday evening.
He had left his home in Seaham at 5pm but did not arrive at his factory job for his shift at 6pm.
A search was launched by police and his worried family and friends appealed for help to find him on social media.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, his body was discovered at the Kielder Water beauty spot in rural Northumberland.
Alex's sister Adele posted on Facebook : "My heart is absolutely broken.
"Thank you so much to every single one of you for sharing our posts and helping us search for Alex Liddle.
"Please respect our privacy at this very difficult time.
"Rest with the Angels little bro. You are my sunshine xx".
Alex's mum Claire McCabe also confirmed the news and said: "Thank you for all your kind messages."
