A fundraising page set up in memory of the ex-England international has raised more than £23,000 (€27,000). His wife Gemma Ehiogu launched the appeal on JustGiving to help fund an equal opportunities charity, giving youngsters access to football.

The page had an initial target of £1,000 (€1,200) but had broken that figure by more than 2,000 per cent on Wednesday morning.

Gemma Ehiogu posted her reasons for setting up the page on the website, saying: "We're raising £1,000 (€1,200) to help set up a charity that will give all children the opportunity to play football. In memory of Ugo Ehiogu #DoSomethingKind.

"Ugo's dream was to set up a charity that gives every child equal opportunity to access and play football. He had already put the wheels in motion. This fund will make his dream become a reality. We don't have a set target every donation will help. Thank you, In memory of Ugo Ehiogu #DoSomethingKind."

A final tweet from Ehiogu went viral after the news of his death, with people from across the world promoting #dosomethingkind.

Gave a homeless girl £10 last night in Dalston.She didn't ask or beg.Random impulsive act from me. Not gona lie. Felt good. #dosomethingkind

— Ugo Ehiogu (@UgoEhiogu) March 29, 2017

The hashtag was trending in Great Britain and the United States after it emerged Ehiogu had used it on March 29 to describe donating £10 to a homeless girl.

The appeal has received strong support, with donations from Middlesbrough, Arsenal, Rangers and former Villa team-mate Mark Bosnich.

A message left by Middlesbrough on the JustGiving page read: "Ugo Ehiogu. One of our heroes. You will never be forgotten by Middlesbrough Football Club or the people of Teesside."