Fundraising for Pompey fan attacked in France during Euro 2016 reaches £18,000 mark

So far, £18,056 has been raised for Andrew Bache who is in a Marseille hospital following the attack by Russian thugs on Saturday.

The 50-year-old Pompey fan, who is known as Pepe, was in France to watch England’s opening game of the Euros against Russia.

Since the attack last week, thousands of pounds has been donated to help support Mr Bache and his family.

Steve Hudson, landlord of the Shepherds Crook in Southsea, is hoping to reach the £20,000 target with a fundraiser on Saturday at the pub.

He said: ‘It is amazing how much has been raised. It’s fantastic.

‘The original target was much less than £20,000 but money has just been coming in.

‘I think by the end of Saturday’s fundraiser, we would have reached the £20,000 target.’

The evening event will have a band and raffle to help boost donations. Steve is also hoping to have a family fun day soon to help raise more cash.

He added: ‘The generosity of how much has been given shows how strong the football community is in Portsmouth as well as the wider community.’

Steve said a Peterborough fan who was in Marseille at the time of the attack is also raising money. He is auctioning off a Peterborough FC shirt that he has kept for five years. The money he raises will be donated to the Just Giving fundraising page.

A message on the page thanked everyone for the support they have given so far.

As previously reported in The News, Mr Bache was given CPR after being repeatedly hit over the head with a heavy object before the England game. The French police officer who gave him the CPR has been praised by Mr Bache’s friends.

He is in a critical condition and has been joined in the hospital by his son Harry.

To make a donation visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Pepefrompompey