Well wishers replace robbed Scottish actress Kate Copstick’s Kenyan fund
Scottish actress Kate Copstick who was attacked and robbed of Sh 1.1 million intended for a Kenyan charity has replaced the funds via an online fundraiser.
The GoFundMe campaign which was set up on her behalf on September 4 has so far raised £14,010 (Sh 1,989,708) surpassing its initial target.
The stolen money was replaced in just 10 hours.
According to the public list of donors on the page, there have been 227 well-wishers with some individuals giving as much as £1000 (Sh 140,414) and £2000 (Sh 281,453).
Ms Copstick who travelled to Kenya on September 5 thanked donors through her Facebook Copi Copstick for their support.
“It has been absolutely overwhelming to see the support the fundraiser has had. And when I get back I will be thanking everyone I can, individually,” she wrote in part.
The funds collected will be directed to her charity, Mama Biashara which was started in 2008 to empower marginalised women to start up small, sustainable businesses across the country. The organisation also helps those fleeing female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, sex slavery and child rape.
Ms Copstick, 66 who is also a respected comedy critic was robbed £8500 (Sh 1,196,588) on the night of September 3 as she headed home in Shepherds’ Bush, London. She was grabbed, choked and kicked to the ground by two men who were dressed in black from head to toe and also wore face coverings. They ripped her backpack off of her, took the money and ran away.
The incident occurred just two days before her planned trip to Kenya. Speaking to BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme after the attack, she noted that she was most likely targeted since the muggers only stole the money leaving behind her phone, bank cards and purse.
“They did not take anything else, which sadly means I was very likely targeted, and that someone knew I would be carrying a significant amount of charity cash with me,” she said.
She had decided to travel with the cash due to ongoing challenges with accessing money from a local bank because of a blocked card.
Also read: Uhuru Kenyatta finally congratulates President-elect William Ruto
Mike Sonko: How to snoop through your husband’s ‘locked’ phone