Nottingham Forest defender Steve Cook has joined teammate Ryan Yates in donating to a memorial fund for Nottingham attacks victim Ian Coates.
The 65-year-old was one of three people who were killed in attacks in Nottingham early on Tuesday morning. 19-year-old students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber were the two other victims, while a third remains in a critical condition in hospital after being run over.
Following the incident, a fundraiser has been set up to raise funds to help with funeral expenses and in memory of Ian Coates, who was a Nottingham Forest fan. The school caretaker was due to retire in just a few months time.
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At the time of writing the GoFundMe page has beaten the £10,000 target, raising a total of £10,183. Among those to donate is Cook, who has given £500 to the fund, joining Forest teammate and vice captain Ryan Yates who made a £200 donation. Actor and Nottingham Forest fan Arsher Ali is also among those to make a generous donation, giving £150 to the fund.
A minutes’ silence was held in memory of the victims in the City’s market square at 6pm on Thursday, with Uan’s three sons wearing Forest shirts on stage. There was also a minutes’ silence held before the first day of the first Ashes test between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Friday, in which Forest fan Stuart Broad is involved.
The fundraiser, created by a friend of Ian, Steven Kirk, is still open for donations and can be found here. Writing in the description, Steven said: “Ian was one of the kindest hearted gentleman I have ever met and would do anything for anyone.
“Going to be deeply missed by all that knew him. I am proud to have fished alongside him with other members of Lake Snakes Angling Club”
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