Fundraiser for Huntingdon ‘train attack’ hero reaches £35,000

A JustGiving page set up by friends of the football fan who was stabbed in the knife attack on a train in Cambridgeshire has raised over £30,000 within a day of going live.

Stephen Crean told Metro the fundraiser has shocked him and warmed his heart.

He was one of 11 people injured in the mass stabbing attack on a busy high-speed London North Eastern Railway heading to the capital.

‘I don’t expect anything in life but this is such a kind gesture, I can’t quite believe it,’ he said from his London home where he is recovering from injuries to his back, head and left hand.

‘I’m not very mobile at the moment and because I am left-handed, I can’t open up any messages or look at the charity page myself but friends have shown me it and I’m in shock at the fact people have kindly donated so much.’

It is a gesture though that Mr Crean says is typical of the Nottingham Forest football club, who he describes as ‘family’.

‘The club and its fans look after one another. I’ve very rarely missed a game and because we are all like one big family, we always stick together,’ he said.

The charity page, set up by over 40 Forest fans who know Mr Crean well, plan to donate all funds raised to the 61-year-old to help aid his recovery.

Set up with an original target of £500, it has rapidly surpassed that goal, with nearly 2,000 people donating.

Mr Crean said he’s currently taking his recovery one step at a time, and is waiting to see if he needs an operation on his injured hand.

Although he has been to his doctor to get the bandage changed and been put on antibiotics, it was only today he was given painkillers to help with the ‘burning and searing sensation’ that he is feeling.

‘Hopefully the Co-dydramol will help me deal with the pain. My hand feels as though it is totally scalded,’ he said.

As a confessed insomniac, Mr Crean said sleeping has been difficult and due to the wound in his back and head he has found it hard to get comfortable.

Despite this, he said he’s grateful for his wife and family, who are looking after him.

Aside from the pain in his hand, he explained the reason he feels so calm-headed about the attack was down his Irish roots.

‘I was raised to be strong and have good manners and so I don’t see myself as a hero or anyone special. I’ve always been a calm person with quick actions and on the train I had no time to panic. I just did what I had to do,’ he explained.

Although he is unsure of how long the recovery process will take, he hopes it won’t be too long before he can be back at a football match.

‘I know the club is waiting for me with open arms and I am too, as they have been so supportive of me. I mean, I wouldn’t expect £30 to be raised for me, let alone over 30k. That’s more than I ever imagined anyone would do for me.’

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