$7K raised for hero

Thousands of dollars have been raised to bring home an Auckland man who leapt into the sea to save his girlfriend.

Temson Junior Simeki, 23, went missing in Indonesia on March 20.

He was at Angel’s Billabong with his 20-year-old German partner, Leonie Hafke, when she was swept off a cliff by a large wave.

Simeki jumped into the ocean to save her, but he was swept away.

Hafke was rescued hours later, in a critical condition, by an Australian snorkeller.

She is understood recovering in hospital.

A Givealittle page set up by Simeki’s brother Cruz had raised $6670 by yesterday afternoon.

Simeki, from the northwest Auckland township of Riverhead, was a ‘‘dear beloved brother’’ who was ‘‘loved by many’’, Cruz Simeki wrote.

‘‘All donated funds will be used and put towards travel arrangements and getting our family to Bali and would be used towards expatriation/funeral costs to get TJ home should it come down to it,’’ Cruz Simeki wrote.

Simeki’s father, Temson Simeki Sr, said on Wednesday that he was flying to Indonesia to join the search for his son.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Bali police and search and rescue were continuing their search for Simeki.

Angel’s Billabong, on the island of Nusa Penida, is known for its strong currents and dangerous swells. to be