‘IT’S BEEN QUITE OVERWHELMING’
Vale fans in bid to replace vandalised car
PORT Vale fans have launched a fund-raising appeal - to buy a new car for a woman whose vehicle was damaged when a football hooligan jumped on its roof.
Gaynor Stanyer had left her £1,300 Peugeot 206 parked outside her Hamil Road home in Burslem ahead of the Stoke City and Port Vale Checkatrade Trophy clash last Tuesday.
But the mother-of-three looked on in horror as she filmed a supporter jumping up and down on the roof of the car while chanting ‘go on Stoke.’
Now Port Vale supporters Jack Heeks, of Burslem, and Jack Robertson, of Kidsgrove, have launched an appeal to raise £2,000 to help buy a new car for Gaynor.
And Gaynor admits she has been overwhelmed by the reaction of the community. The 44-year-old said: “I am grateful for everything. Someone asked me if they could launch the appeal but they shouldn’t have to. Stoke City even called me to see if the club could help with anything.
“When the videos went up on Facebook everyone was being really supportive and a lot of people have asked how they can help me. It has been quite overwhelming.
“I’ve still been driving the car because the police said it should be fine but needs looking at. I was told to take it to the garage but I can’t afford that and have to get to work.”
Gaynor added: “If they raise enough money then I would like to replace the car because I don’t know if it will be driveable. Until I get the car assessed, I don’t know what to do.”
Jack Heeks says he wanted fans to rally around and raise the money to help Asda worker Gaynor in the runup to the expensive festive period.
The 26-year-old said: “We were in the pub and were talking about Tuesday night and said we wanted to raise some money because Gaynor lives in Burslem and I believe we should be looking after our own. It’s coming up to Christmas and she could be left without transport.”
Jack Robertson, also aged 26, added: “Gaynor had no part in the match and was nothing to do with the trouble so there is no reason why she has to fund this or claim on her insurance increasing her premiums. It’s our local club and we want people to dig in and help her out.”