Donations have flooded into a fundraiser set up for the family of Jason Arday, passing £57,000 by 11.30am on Sunday – 53% of a new £110,000 target. The total had earlier topped the halfway mark before noon.
News of the former Cambridge professor's death was announced on Friday, following reports that emergency services were called to an address in Battersea, south London, after he was found unresponsive.
Fundraiser launched by Sir Patrick Vernon
A GoFundMe drive was launched in his memory by Windrush campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon the following afternoon. Earlier on Sunday morning it had passed £30,000, with more than 1,100 donations having flooded in, according to PA. Then came hundreds more – including a single donation of just over £2,000 – which saw the total rise steadily.
The academic had resigned from his Cambridge post as professor of sociology of education last week following allegations of plagiarism. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has described his death as "a tragedy on so many levels" and as "a moment for reflection".
Sir Patrick's tribute
Writing on the crowdfunding webpage he established, Sir Patrick called the academic "pioneering" and a "gentle soul" who had inspired others. He said: "I was one of the people who publicly supported Jason during the recent controversy because I was deeply concerned about the nature and intensity of the attacks directed towards him.
"I was also subject to media scrutiny for signing the letter of support and challenged in supporting Jason. Following his death, my immediate concern is now for Jason's family.
"I am therefore establishing this fund to help contribute towards funeral, memorial and associated family costs and to provide practical support during an unimaginably difficult period."
Family's statement and vigil plans
In the hours before his death, Prof Arday is said to have told Cambridge University professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, also director of the Autism Research Centre, that he "couldn't go on". Sir Simon told the BBC: "He was being subjected to relentless scrutiny, including ridicule, discrediting absolutely every detail of his life, and he wasn't coping with the loss of his career, the loss of his reputation and he felt he couldn't go on."
Prof Arday's family have said through a statement: "Jason was subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse for the more than three years since he accepted the role of professor at Cambridge University by those who would leave no stone unturned in their quest to undermine him.
"The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone. We are in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son.
The statement added: "We won't comment further at this point beyond asking the press to leave us alone now, and to stop the campaign of harassment which has been waged against Jason and his family for too long."
The organisation Stand Up To Racism has announced plans for a vigil in Prof Arday's memory, to take place on the steps of the National Gallery in London on Monday evening.
