Thousands of pounds raised for the four people who were prosecuted for their part in toppling the statue of Bristol slave trader Edward Colston - but never spent because they were acquitted - will be given to good causes in the city.
The ‘Bristol Topplers’ Defence Fund’ raised thousands of pounds in the 18 months between the time when a police investigation into the toppling of the statue in June 2020 and the trial and acquittal of the ‘Colston 4’ in December 2021 and January this year.
That money, which didn't include thousands raised by the sale of limited edition T-shirts created by Banksy - that went directly to the Colston 4 - paid for the four’s defence costs at the trial, with more set aside in case they were found guilty and fined.
