Friends of Andrew Bache are overwhelmed as donations near £30,000

That was the message from the close friends of Pompey fan Andrew Bache who is in a Marseille hospital following a brutal attack last weekend.

Mr Bache, 51, is recovering after being hit multiple times in the head by a Russian thug before England’s opening European Championship game.

Since the incident, more than £26,000 has been raised by people in Portsmouth as well as people around the world including Australia, Japan and Canada.

Tim House, Steve Ayling and Crispin Harwood have known Mr Bache for more than 40 years and have been organising fundraisers along with other close friends Jason Ricketts, Paul Van Der Herck, John Madden and Andy Essery.

They were at the Shepherd’s Crook, in Milton, on Saturday evening to help raise more money.

Tim said: ‘The amount we have raised is unbelievable. The people of Portsmouth always come together in a time of need and they have not let us down.

‘We never expected to raise so much money. Initially our target was £5,000 so to raise nearly £30,000 is totally unbelievable.’

Steve added: ‘The whole community in Portsmouth has come together. Everywhere we go someone wants to give money.

‘People in Southampton have also been donating; the football community across the country have been giving money and showing their support.’

The money will be used to support Mr Bache, known as Pepe, and his family who are currently by his side in Marseille.

Updates on the crowdfunding Just Giving page by Mr Bache’s brother Dean said he has been showing signs of improvement daily. He thanked everyone for their continued support.

Crispin said: ‘We set up the fundraising page to help with the hardship for Andrew and his family.

‘Whether people can give £3 or £300 it is all appreciated and it will all be used to support Andrew. The amount raised is just overwhelming.’

Tesco Extra in Havant has been raising money and donated a prize for the raffle on Saturday.

Community champion Vanda French said: ‘So far, we have raised £350 for Andrew. Our customers have been so generous.

‘It is amazing to see the total amount that has been raised.’

To make a donation, visit the fundraising page at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Pepefrompompey.

Fundraisers for Andrew

MORE fundraising events have been organised to help boost donations for Andrew Bache.

His close friends have organised the events starting with a football match on June 28 between 6pm and 8pm at Priory School, in Southsea. It will be under 40s versus over 40s.

On July 1 from 7pm at the Cue Ball Club, on Goldsmith Avenue, there will be an auction, raffle and music.

There is also a fundraiser on July 23 at the Post Office Sport and Social Club, in North End, where there will be live music. It starts at 7pm.