LISTEN: Over £50,000 raised for multicultural group targeted by arsonists

by David Young, PA

A crowdfunding drive to support a multicultural community group whose food bank was torched in a racist attack has smashed initial targets.

Tens of thousands of pounds have flooded in to help the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association find a temporary new home after the blaze at its building in the south of the city on Thursday.

Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland director. Patrick Corrigan, who set up the JustGiving page on Friday, said the response had been “overwhelming” and represented “a bouquet of love” for the association and its volunteers.

An initial £10,000 target was passed within two hours of the page going live on Friday evening.

As of Sunday morning, over £50,000 has been raised with donations still pouring in. 

The fundraising goal has now been lifted to £60,000. 

Our answer to hate. Love.

Our answer to despair. Hope.

Our answer to destruction. Build back better.

Thank you so much for the overwhelming support for Belfast Multi-Cultural Association. With all previous targets now smashed, we have lifted the fundraising goal to £60,000.🙏

— Patrick Corrigan (@PatrickCorrigan) January 17, 2021

Police are treating the arson attack on the historic building on Donegall Pass as a hate crime.

The interior of the facility was badly damaged in the fire with large sections of the roof destroyed.

PSNI at the scene of the blaze at Belfast Multicultural Association - Pic Alan Lewis

The building was being used as a food bank, with volunteers distributing packages to vulnerable people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the association said it was touched by the support.

“We are immensely grateful to each and everyone of you who have reached out to us in solidarity and support.

“We are greatly touched by everyone’s support. We will come back stronger than ever and we will not let down the communities we support.”

The roof caved in as a result of the racist attack at Belfast Multicultural Association - Pic Alan Lewis

Reacting to the money raised, Mr Corrigan said: “The antidote to hate is love.

“Dr Martin Luther King Jr envisioned a ‘beloved community’ based on justice, equal opportunity, and love of one’s fellow human beings.

“That is what the response to this appeal represents. It is a bouquet of love to the volunteers at Belfast Multi-Cultural Association who have been feeding the homeless and the vulnerable during the pandemic.

“Their work for others, in the face of repeated acts of intimidation, represents the true spirit of Belfast.

“All the money donated will go to help the association get back on its feet and keep its vital work going. A huge thank you to everyone who has rallied round with donations. The generosity has been overwhelming.”

Amnesty International Director in NI, Patrick Corrigan speaking to Q Radio 

South Belfast MP Claire Hanna hailed the fundraising response and contrasted the motivation behind it with the mindset of those who targeted the centre.

A handful of racist goons who can’t accept difference attack a thoroughly decent and engaged community group and Foodbank, and our diverse community responds by raising thousands of pounds in a matter of hours. That’s South Belfast ❤️ https://t.co/E141bUJPLH

— Claire Hanna (@ClaireHanna) January 15, 2021

“A handful of racist goons who can’t accept difference attack a thoroughly decent and engaged community group and Foodbank, and our diverse community responds by raising thousands of pounds in a matter of hours. That’s South Belfast,” the SDLP representative tweeted.

Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill called the arson attack despicable.

“We and our Executive colleagues are committed to doing everything we can to eradicate racism and hate crime,” they said in a joint statement on Friday.

The JustGiving page can be found at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/belfastmulticulturalassociation?utm_term=rGDq7DDkV