Southport Hesketh Round Table has more than doubled the amount of money it has raised, in just a single day, for local families whose lives have been devastated by last July’s atrocity in Southport in which three young girls were killed and several others were wounded.
The volunteers are well known in the town from operating the annual Santa float, supporting the Southport Mad Dog 10k run and visiting local venues during Children In Need.
After the tragedy on 29th July, they quickly set up a fundraising appeal to ensure that any money raised by them would go directly to the families affected.
They did an incredible job, raising over £69,000 by yesterday morning.
As the killer was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, Marc Foreman from Southport Hesketh Round Table spoke to a number of national and regional TV channels encouraging people to continue supporting the appeal, including one interview where he was overcome by emotion and broke down in tears.
Viewers have responded with huge kindness.
The appeal has more than doubled, with over £172,000 now raised, from 5,100 donations.
People can donate to here: https://gofund.me/9e7a67c2
Marc Foreman said: “Yesterday was really difficult for me in so many ways. It was like I was reliving the day again and I know that it was worse too for the families directly affected.
“But, I guess it was just a milestone that needed to happen for closure of one chapter of the horrible events that happened in July.
“It’s now time for us to try and heal as best we can.
“I just hope that the interviews and reports I gave were respectful to the families and the community we live in.
“Our Southport.”
The attack at the Hart Space on 29th July last year saw three young girls killed with several children and adults severely injured with others left severely traumatised.
Within 24 hours of the horror, Round Table members had set up their Go Fund Me appeal.
Marc Foreman said: “The gravity of this atrocity is indescribable as we are still coming to terms with it. Our community has been deeply shaken, and as a charity based in this tight-knit community, we all know someone affected by this.
“For further information or to offer additional support, please reach out to us. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who have been so profoundly affected.”
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
