THOUSANDS of pounds have been donated to help the family of a man who drowned while swimming in the sea at Camber Sands.

Gustavo Cruz, 19, died at the scene after getting into difficulty on Sunday afternoon, despite rescue efforts.

The teenager from Brazil had been visiting his father, Gutenberg Cruz, and other family in Croydon, south London.

The family was enjoying the hot weather with friends at the beach when he was pulled out to sea by strong winds, friends said.

They have set up a fundraising page to raise money for his body to be repatriated to Brazil, where he grew up with his grandparents and mother.

In a statement on the page at the website Go Fund Me, they said: "After the sudden and tragic death of the 19 year-old Gustavo Cruz we would like to offer our love and support to his dad, Gutenberg Cruz, and his family. "Gustavo was in the UK to visit his father and family who are originally from Brazil.

"Gustavo was raised in Brazil by his grandparents and mother, for this reason the family needs to send Gustavo's body to Brazil.

"Unfortunately this kind of procedure has a very high cost which the family is not prepared for.

"We come via go fund to try and help Gutenberg who always has been there for many of us."

As of Monday evening, 159 people had donated £4,911 of a £9,750 goal, during the nine hours since the page was set up.

Donor Pamela Mendes said: "My sentiments to the family. We were there yesterday but did not know what was going on. Just saw lots of ambulances and police. Very sad."

Sussex Police confirmed Mr Cruz's body was found at 6.20pm after he went missing in the sea at 12.30pm.

They added his death is not being treated as suspicious, and the coroner has been informed.

Two other people unconnected to Mr Cruz were also taken to hospital after they were rescued from the sea on Sunday.

The 35-year-old man and his 17-year-old son, from London, were taken to hospital in a critical but stable condition.