David Kamson’s food van was torched in a suspected racially-aggravated attack. Luckily, he says he will come back stronger. He thanked the public’s generosity after a successful GoFundMe campaign that has now raised more than £80,000 to help rebuild his business.
On the 22nd of September, the popular Moston entrepreneur was horrified to find his much-loved trailer reduced to ashes in an incident the police are treating as “racially aggravated criminal damage”.
Supporters in Manchester and around the world have now raised almost £100,000. A kind stranger, Jolus Lutete, organised a GoFundMe campaign, pledging to “give racists a reason to frown, and David a reason to smile”.
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“It was a no brainer,” Jolus told The Mancunion. “I felt obliged to help because not only did I feel that it was my duty as a Christian, but I could also relate to him as a small business owner.
“I hope this story encourages [people] to help others when in need,” even if you don’t know or like the person, she added.
The page has since garnered over 7,300 donors, with contributors from the USA and Australia wishing him luck.
Since moving to the UK four years ago, entrepreneurial David has built his business selling suya, a West African delicacy made with spicy skewered meat. He has also made it his mission to help the homeless people of Moston by serving them food free of charge.
According to an Instagram post made by David, he was subject to racially-motivated theft and criminal damage prior to the attack.
Despite the horrific ordeal that almost cost David his business, he remains optimistic about the goodness of people in the UK. He wrote on Instagram: “We’re United Kingdom and We Unite Against Racism”.
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We asked David what he thought of the seismic international response that restored his livelihood.
David replied that because of the kindness of strangers, he has a hopeful attitude towards the future: “This community response shows the quantum of love and humanity that exists within the walls of England. It just needs to spread more.”
David’s new Moston Suya catering trailer, fittingly named ‘Phoenix’, opened to the public on October 25th in Albine Street car park off Moston Lane, with a menu of suya, chicken, fish, and jollof rice.
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