Jason Arday Crowdfunder Tops £100,000
Traveloasisspot.com – The Jason Arday family crowdfunder passes the £100,000 mark within hours of going live on GoFundMe, as thousands of donors rallied behind the late Cambridge academic’s loved ones. More than 3,400 individual contributions poured in by Sunday evening, according to figures posted on the campaign page.
Fundraiser Launched Within Hours of His Death
Professor Arday, who had held the chair of sociology of education at Cambridge University, was pronounced dead after paramedics attended an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday following reports that a man was found unresponsive inside a property. He had resigned from his post the previous week amid allegations of plagiarism.
Campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon set up the GoFundMe drive on Saturday afternoon. By 6.15 pm Sunday it had already cleared the six-figure threshold, with donations arriving from across the country and abroad.
“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,” Sir Patrick wrote on the campaign page. “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.”
Tributes and Calls for Accountability
The organisation Stand Up To Racism announced plans for a vigil on the steps of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square at 6 pm Monday. Co-convenor Weyman Bennett described the death as “the result of a racist witch hunt,” accusing right-wing press and politicians of hounding the professor for more than a week.
“They are spreading the far-right lie that black people are only appointed because of the colour of our skin, rather than our ability. They have blood on their hands. Our thoughts are with Jason’s family, but we are furious with those who are to blame. Enough is enough.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, speaking during a visit to Cornwall, called the death “a tragedy on so many levels” and urged a “moment of reflection” rather than rushed judgment. He added that the nation should think of Jason’s contribution, his friends, and his loved ones.
In the hours before he died, Professor Arday told Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, that he “couldn’t go on.” Sir Simon said to the BBC that relentless scrutiny, ridicule, and the dismantling of every detail of his professional life had left him unable to cope with the loss of his career and reputation.
A statement issued by Professor Arday’s publisher, Simon & Schuster UK, described a “campaign of sustained abuse” spanning more than three years since he accepted the Cambridge role. The family called him “a gentle man who always wanted to see the best in everyone” and asked the press to leave them alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much has been raised for the Jason Arday family crowdfunder? More than £100,000 was collected within roughly 24 hours of the GoFundMe page going live on Saturday, with over 3,400 donations recorded by Sunday evening.
Who launched the fundraiser and what will it cover? Sir Patrick Vernon, a Windrush-era campaigner who had publicly backed Professor Arday during the plagiarism controversy, created the fund. Proceeds are earmarked for funeral costs, memorial expenses, and practical support for the family.
When and where is the planned vigil? A Stand Up To Racism-organised vigil is scheduled for 6 pm Monday on the steps of the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, central London.
What did Cambridge University say about the investigation? The university confirmed it would continue its internal review into the plagiarism allegations despite Professor Arday’s resignation and death.
