A WOMAN from Andover is raising money for her dad after he was kidnapped and robbed.
Georgina Battey launched the fundraiser after her father, former Cricklade College lecturer Adrian Battey, was kidnapped by a group of men in South Africa who proceeded to take all his money.
Adrian, who has lived in South Africa for 20 years, was kidnapped on July 5 when a man jumped inside his car while he was leaving a shopping centre in Benoni.
The man threatened Adrian with a gun and forced him to drive to an abandoned house where he was forced by a group of men to hand over his money and bank details before being let go.
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The incident left Adrian shaken.
Georgina said: “He is relieved to be alive, but he’s devastated about what happened and worried about money.
“All the money that he saved up to come over and see his children and grandchildren, he was going to come over in September, that all went.
“But because people have been so kind, donating through the Gofundme page, it has obviously restored his faith in humanity for him.”
Georgina said that she was “shocked” to hear about what had happened.
The single mum continued: “He’s my dad and he’s a strong man, and to hear him in tears is devastating, especially since he is so far away.”
Georgina decided to set up the fundraiser, which has a target goal of £500, to help Adrian and restore his faith in humanity.
She explained: “The £500 would help him out enormously and, like I said, give him a bit of an uplift after such a horrible experience.
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“It’s the only thing I felt I could do for him when I’m so far away and I just want to give him a big hug.”
At time of writing, the fundraiser has raised £295.
Georgina wanted to thank those who have already donated.
She said: “The generosity, when everyone is struggling so much with the living costs over here, even just the little bits of donations that people have managed to give is just so kind and lovely.
“It’s really endearing to know that people are there for you when you need it.”
To donate to the fundraiser visit gofundme.com/f/kidnapped-in-south-africa.
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