Overwhelming generosity shown to families of Avonmouth dead as crowdfunding campaign exceeds target
A fundraising campaign launched by Stoke Lane AFC has raised more than £13,000 in two days.
Last updated 8th Dec 2020
A crowdfunding campaign set up to help the families of those killed in the Avonmouth explosion has raised more than three times its target in two days.
It was set up by Stoke Lane Athletic Football Club where the youngest victim - 16-year-old Luke Wheaton - was a player.
They aimed to raise £4,000 to help pay for the funerals but at time of writing have already raised more than £13,000.
"As a club we are totally overwhelmed by the generosity of the entire community in trying to make things that little bit easier for the families," a statement on the club's Facebook page reads.
Luke died last Thursday (03/12) alongside 64-year-old Michael James, Brian Vickery who was 63 and Raymond White who was 57, when a chemical tank at Wessex Water's Water Recycling Centre blew up.
Wessex Water are now working with the Health and Saftey Executive to work out the cause.
It is understood Mr James was a contractor working at the site, while Mr Vickery and Mr White were employees of Wessex Water. Luke was there as an apprentice.
The crowdfunding campaign was set up on Sunday (06/12) with a description on the page saying Luke played for Stoke Lane's under-18 colts.
"He was well loved by his teammates," it reads.