Carer given £28k to replace car burnt out in riot

Brendan Nwabichie was working a 12-hour shift as a carer when his car was set on fire

A fundraiser to buy a carer a replacement for his car which was set alight during a riot in Middlesbrough has raised more than £65,000.

Brendan Nwabichie returned home from a 12-hour shift to find the remnants of his overturned vehicle outside his flat.

The Nigerian, who is also a Teesside University student, said he "went to the bathroom and cried".

His employer, Clare's Care UK, said Mr Nwabichie would receive £28,000 for a new car and insurance with the rest shared among other groups affected by the violence.

The care agency said Mr Nwabichie had made the "brave" decision to come to work despite the disorder which followed the stabbing of three little girls in Southport.

It added it was "overwhelmed" by the generosity of people who had given money.

An appeal to buy the carer a new car has raised more than expected

Mr Nwabichie is to receive £28,000 to "cover the cost of his new car and insurance", the agency said.

Of the remaining funds, £10,000 is set to be donated to Cleveland Police officers who were on duty during the disorder.

A further £10,000 will be split between organisations involved in the clean-up operation, including volunteers from two churches and two mosques.

Other groups yet to be identified will also benefit and staff at the care agency who have been affected by the disorder will also receive a payment.

Mr Nwabichie has said he was devastated to find his car destroyed because it had taken him a long time to save up enough to buy it.

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