£1,000 raised for stabbed security guard

KIM BRISCOE Norwich Evening News
20 April 2007 09:15

More than £1,000 has been raised for a trust fund set up in memory of city security guard who was stabbed to death.

Traders and shoppers shocked at the fatal stabbing of Paul Cavanagh set up the trust fund to help his bereaved family.

A fundraising chest wax and an evening of entertainment have also been organised to boost the fund, and people in Norwich are being urged to dig deep.

The father-of-two and fellow security worker Gavin Levett were both injured in the attack in December and taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Mr Cavanagh, 30, who leaves behind pregnant fiancée Clare, died from his wounds.

A teenager appeared before Norwich Crown Court at the end of March charged with the murder of Mr Cavanagh.

David Watson, 19, from Balls Pond Road, London, is also accused of causing grievous bodily harm to another security guard, Gavin Levett, 34, and wounding special constable Ian Gardener with intent.

His case was adjourned for psychiatric reports and Watson was remanded in custody until May 4 when he will appear before the same court. A provisional date for a five-day trial in July was also set.

Kimberly Doherty, the manager and intelligence officer of the Siren Business Against Crime Partnership, said city traders had been deeply affected by the attack and wanted to help the families involved by setting up a trust fund for Mr Cavanagh's family.

She said: “Lots of companies in Norwich have donated prizes for a raffle, which we will be holding as part of a night at Lava Ignite.

“At the moment we have raised about £1,000 but we hope we can raise lots more with these events.”

The night at Lava Ignite will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday, June 6. Tickets will be sold for entry into the venue, and each entrant will then be given a ticket for the prize draw.

There will be live music and entertainment from Radio Broadland. All the money raised will be donated to the Cavanagh fund.

One hirsute worker at The Range, a home and leisure store in Costessey, has also volunteered to brave a chest wax to raise money for the fund.

Tony Hockey, a warehouse clerk at the store, will undergo the painful treatment, courtesy of a beautician from Charisma, Exchange Street, at 9am on Tuesday, May 1.

Colleague Jackie Treloar said all the women in the store had been teasing him about how much waxing hurts.

She said: “He's like a gorilla and he's never had this done before - he's petrified. I'm expecting a few screams.

“We have managed to get about £200 in donations so far and we're hoping to raise another hundred.”