GoFundMe fundraiser for Newark man Wayne Birkett severely injured in Nottingham horror attacks that claimed lives of students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and school caretaker Ian Coates tops £1,500

Well-wishers are contributing to a fundraising page to help the Newark victim of Nottingham’s horror attacks with the costs of his recovery.

Wayne Birkett was mown down by a van, allegedly stolen after school caretaker Ian Coates was stabbed to death, at a bus stop.

Two teenage university students were also killed that morning and two others were injured alongside Mr Birkett at the bus stop.

A man has been charged with three murders and three attempted murders.

Mr Birkett, like all of the victims, was in the wrong at the wrong time having just got off a bus for a stroll into work on what was a bright and sunny early morning.

He suffered serious injuries and was in a critical condition in hospital although he is said to have stabilised and has woken up and is speaking.

The family of 58-year-old father Mr Birkett, from Newark but now living in Nottingham, have set up a GoFundMe page to help with the costs associated with his recovery, rehabilitation and time away from work. The total currently stands at more than £1,500.

The fundraising page initially had a target of just £500, but donations doubled that sum in a matter of hours.

On the page, Jenny wrote: “We as a family are asking for support and help for Wayne Birkett who was hit by the van in the Nottingham disaster.

“As you can appreciate Wayne is going to need a lot of help in his recovery and he could be off work for months or even if he will be able to return to work.

“With the cost of living and how things are these days any help and support would be greatly appreciated.”

Wayne is an employee of ABB Furse in the city, a company with 125 years of experience in providing total solutions for earthing, lightning risk and electronic systems protection.

The company said: “ABB are appalled and saddened by the tragic events in Nottingham city centre on the 13th June 2023.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Nottingham and the friends and families impacted by these tragic events.”

It said it wanted to continue to work with its employee’s family and would provide support directly to them.

“We have internal procedures in place to provide all levels of support to our colleagues affected by the incident,” it said.

A trial date has been set for 31-year-old Valdo Calocane who is accused of triple murder by stabbing and a triple attempted murder by driving into members of the public at two different, but very close, locations in Nottingham.

Calocane appeared before Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday accused of murdering 19-year-old University of Nottingham students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and primary school caretaker Mr Coates.

He is also charged with the attempted murder of three people hit by a van, Sharon Miller, Marcin Gawronski and Mr Birkett.

There was no application for bail.

Judge Nirmal Shant KC fixed the trial for the week commencing January 12, though he said it was likely to begin on January 15.

Nottinghamshire’s Chief Constable, Kate Meynell was in court for the hearing alongside family members 65-year-old Mr Coates.