Businessman says Southport fundraiser will unite

Arfan Mohammed says there's 'nothing better' than giving something back to the community

A businessman said his fundraising event in aid of the families of the Southport knife attack victims would stand as a "message of strength and unity" from the "loving place" of Stoke-on-Trent.

Arfan Mohammed has organised a charity football match after being approached by a friend of Leanne Lucas, a dance teacher injured in the attacks.

"We want to send a positive message to the country that Stoke-on-Trent is a city that's united with all faiths and religions," he said.

Following the killings of three children in Southport, major unrest broke out in the UK, fuelled by false rumours online that the suspect was Muslim and an asylum seeker. Disorder in Stoke-on-Trent led to multiple arrests.

Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King died after the attacks on 29 July

Mr Mohammed, the owner of Sizzlers restaurant in the city, described his business as a "community-based take-away that gives back to the community".

He said he was approached by a friend of Ms Lucas to help her as she recovered from serious injury, although the occasion was to also support the families of the girls.

His staff will take on local side Milton United FC in Saturday's match which also includes live entertainment.

"The work that goes on behind the scenes is unbelievable so I'd like to thank Milton United and the sponsors," he said.

Mr Mohammed said of the violence in the city earlier this summer: "It's a minority - the majority of us all get on."

Community work was important to him, he said, having spent much of the summer taking free food and pre-loved clothes to community hubs across Staffordshire.