Jason Arday family GoFundMe tops £130,000 as Trafalgar Square vigil to be held for 'pioneering' academic
Jason Arday was found dead on Friday ES Izzie Addison | Tom Place , News Reporter 1 minute ago More than £130,000 has been raised for the family of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday after a Windrush campaigner launched a fundraising drive in his memory.
Prof Arday had resigned from his post as the professor of sociology of education last week after allegations of plagiarism were made against him.
He was pronounced dead after emergency services were called to an address in Battersea, south London , on Friday following reports that a man had been found unresponsive inside a property.
On Saturday afternoon, campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe , which by 6.20am on Monday had received more than 4,600 donations and raised in excess of £130,000.
Writing on the crowdfunder ’s webpage, Sir Patrick paid tribute to the “pioneering” academic.
He said: “I was one of the people who publicly supported Jason during the recent controversy because I was deeply concerned about the nature and intensity of the attacks directed towards him.
“I was also subject to media scrutiny for signing the letter of support and challenged in supporting Jason.
“I am therefore establishing this fund to help contribute towards funeral, memorial and associated family costs and to provide practical support during an unimaginably difficult period.”
Following the influx of donations, the fundraiser’s target total has been increased to £200,000.
The organisation Stand Up To Racism has announced plans for a vigil in Prof Arday’s memory.
It will be held on the steps of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, central London, at 6pm on Monday.
The group’s co-convenor, Weyman Bennett, said in a statement: “Jason Arday’s death is a tragedy – but make no mistake, it was the result of a racist witch hunt.
“For more than a week, the right-wing press, politicians and the far right have hounded Jason with the most vicious racism.
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