Friends of Chippenham fitness instructor Donavan van Lill have set up a reward fund for anyone with information that could lead to the discovery of his body.

One of them, Gary Barber, is looking to organise a strongman event in memory of his friend to help raise funds towards the reward.

Mr Barber, who worked out at the gym with Mr van Lill, said: “We are pretty sure someone out there knows something, whether a friend who is keeping their mouth shut or someone else, but we are hoping a large financial incentive will convince them to speak out.”

Mr van Lill, of Blackthorn Mews, Pewsham, has not been seen since March 3 and despite a murder charge being made against his former friend Martin Sugden, a body has not been found.

Friends of the rugby-mad Olympiad worker are convinced someone is withholding information concerning his whereabouts.

“We are putting the investigation to one side and trying to make people aware he has two children and an elderly mother, whose hearts have been broken by this event.

“All we want to do is find out where Donavan is so we can give him the dignity of laying him to rest.”

Mr van Lill’s mother Robyn hopes to scatter her son’s ashes in the sea near Durban, South Africa, where he used to surf.

Last week a group of friends attended a hearing at Bristol Crown Court, where they faced Sugden for the second time.

“When we were at court it was quite surreal to think this is happening to us,” said Mr Barber.

“It is difficult to sit and listen to people discussing the murder of your friend. We have accepted that he is gone and isn’t coming back, but the worst thing is that we don’t have a body and cannot lay him to rest.”

Details of the reward fund can be found on the Facebook group ‘please help raise a reward for information to find Donavan van Lill’s body.’