Leeds United fans raise almost £3,000 in 48 hours in memory of fans Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus

Leeds United fans have rallied together to raise almost £3,000 in just 48 hours in memory of fans Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus, ahead of the tragic anniversary of their deaths.
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Fans - headed up by organiser Kam Mann 23 - have raised the money in tribute of the fans who were both fatally stabbed the night before Leeds’ UEFA Cup semi-final first leg against Turkish side Galatasaray in Istanbul.

Kevin was 40 when he died on April 5, 2000 and Christopher 37.

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Kam, from Halton, said the idea for the fundraiser originated in a group chat between himself and his friends.

Leeds United fans have rallied together to raise almost £3,000 in just 48 hours in memory of fans Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus, ahead of the tragic anniversary of their deaths.Leeds United fans have rallied together to raise almost £3,000 in just 48 hours in memory of fans Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus, ahead of the tragic anniversary of their deaths.
Leeds United fans have rallied together to raise almost £3,000 in just 48 hours in memory of fans Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus, ahead of the tragic anniversary of their deaths.

However, when the idea was mentioned on Twitter, hundreds of Leeds United fans jumped on board to donate what they could.

Since then, almost £3,000 has been raised at the time of writing in less than 48 hours.

Kam has pledged to buy two huge flags and flowers to lay at Elland Road to honour the fans.

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He has also agreed - with the blessing of the families of Christopher and Kevin - to donate the remainder of any donations to Candlelighters.

Kam MannKam Mann
Kam Mann

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Kam said: "We had an idea to do a memorial for Chris and Kev between a group chat, remembering two of our own in our own way.

"We came up with an idea to design a flag or two to take to the ground before the Sheffield United game, along with flowers to lay.

"Word got round and donations came flying in with fans willing to help."

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Kam said two large flags have now been designed and said the club are willing to put them in the ground following the memorial.

He told of the unbelievable response to the fundraiser from Leeds fans.

Kam added: "I’ve had a lot of messages with people wanting to donate from every corner of the country, not only Leeds fans!

"We’ve changed a lot of views on the subject and made a lot of people aware of what actually happened over there.

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"Both families have expressed how much the work we’ve done means to them."

Kam said he would be at Elland Road to honour the fans before the Sheffield United match.

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