A memorial fund has raised more than $24,000 for the daughter of a US Marine Corps who died when his F-18 crashed.

Maj Taj Sareen, of Hillsborough, California, died on Wednesday when his F/A-18C Hornet crashed near Shippea Hill, Cambridgeshire at around 10.30am.

A statement from Miramar Air Station, California, where Maj Sareen, 34, was based, said he was a pilot in the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232.

He received two navy and marine corps achievement medals and an air medal since joining the marines in February 2005.

A friend, Annie Driscoll, has launched a memorial fund for Major Sareen’s daughter, Jade. The Go Fund Me page was opened on Thursday, and had raised more than $24,000 in just 19 hours as of 4pm yesterday.

Jade’s mother, Lindsey Suzanne Collins, commented on the page, saying: “I can not express enough gratitude for even setting this page up. Jade is such a beautifully blessed little girl. I hate that she will be growing up without her father, but I know we will have so, so, so many stories for her over the years.

“Thank you everyone for the love and support you’ve shown already. I am utterly overwhelmed.

“Nothing will bring back my daughter’s daddy, but we can help her know the incredible man he was.”