Friends of teen shot in Sunderland set up fundraising page

Published 14th Oct 2016

"Too close to home" is how the neighbours and friends of the teenager shot in Sunderland have described the event.

The 15-year-old who can't be named for legal reasons- was left in a critical condition after the incident on Hewitt Avenue.

He was shot when he was on the back of a motorbike.

Steven Thompson, 39, who lives on Hewitt Avenue, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a firearm and perverting the course of justice. A 16-year-old teenage boy, who lives in the Sunderland area but cannot be identified for legal reasons, has been charged with possession of a firearm and perverting the course of justice.

Now, Kelly, who knows the family, has help set up a fundraising page to help the boy's family- as it's unsure how long he'll be in hospital for.

She said: “It was really shocking- it could have been any of our children- you just don’t expect it to happen in your area- all of the children play together.

“Some of the mams- we felt helpless. We just wanted to do some kind of fundraiser to help his mam, with travel, day to day things, because she’s not going to be able to work.

“It was really close to home it’s just our way of coping.”