Over £60k raised for carer whose car was torched during riot

A great example of a community coming together in the wake of unrest.

Violent demonstrations have taken place across the country in recent days following the killing of three children in Southport at the end of last month.

Middlesbrough and Hartlepool saw considerable damage on Sunday, and one of the most shocking stories to come out of that area was that of an innocent on-shift carer named Brendan whose car was set on fire.

Brendan Nwabichie was working a 12 hour shift at a care home in Middlesbrough when he returned home to see his car completely burnt out.

Friends of his revealed that he had saved up for 12 months to be able to buy his car, and was devastated to have his hard-earned vehicle taken away overnight by “peaceful protests”.

Brendan's company Clare's Care started a GoFundMe page in order to raise money for their unfortunate employee to be able to buy a replacement car.

After just a few days, over £60k has been raised thanks to 5,000 donations.

The company commended their staff who "made the brave decision to walk to work last night as no taxi’s were running to make sure all of the elderly people in our care homes were still looked after.

"Their efforts are commendable, let’s join together and try get Brendan and new car!"

While Brendan Nwabichie was working a 12-hour shift caring for the elderly in Middlesbrough, people who think immigrants are lazy, violent and contribute nothing to society destroyed his car — which he had saved up for a year to buy — and set it on fire.pic.twitter.com/TP3a2mUGcs

— Christian Christensen (@ChrChristensen) August 7, 2024

The statement on the fundraiser page read: "Any donation would be really helpful. Any additional money we are lucky enough to raise we intend to give to our employees that have been affected by having to cancel their shifts at work because they were unable to leave the house.

"We are overwhelmed by your generosity that we have decided to donate any remaining monies to the church’s and mosques that arranged the clean up within Middlesbrough as well as anyone else that was a victim of the riots!!"

An update on the page posted yesterday thanked everyone who donated and revealed what the extra money would be spent on.

"We have decided since we have raised a lot more than expected to donate some money towards the church’s and community hubs that arrange the Middlesbrough “clean up” the day following the riots," they said.

"Of course we are super excited to get Brendan a band new car! We have been looking for the perfect one and he is so excited. Once Brendan has decided on a car we will be sure to post you all an update of his new wheels!"

Earlier today, the Government announced that they are working with footballing authorities and clubs on an individual basis, in order to ensure any fans taking part in the disorderly violence over the past week are banned from football games.

Police investigations have shown a link between far-right activists to organised groups of football hooligans.

It has been reported that ministers are looking at using existing powers under The Football Offences Act as quickly as this week.