A group of Glasgow neighbours have come together to help cover the funeral costs of a popular Big Issue vendor who was murdered on his doorstep.
Paul Kelly was found with serious injuries on Hermitage Avenue in Knightswood on June 15, and died at the scene.
Jason Cowan was arrested in connection with the incident and later charged with murder.
The 46-year-old appeared in Glasgow Sheriff Court on June 18 and made no plea.
He was remanded in custody and is due to return to court by June 26.
Now, Paul's neighbours have banded together to raise funds for his family, who they say must be going through a 'horrendous' time.
Liz Boyle, 59 and Linda Hendry, 52 set up a JustGiving page to give Paul the send-off he deserves.
Their street was blocked off for hours while emergency services descended on the scene, and now they want to do anything they can to help.
READ MORE: Tributes to the Big Issue's Paul Kelly should make us stop and think
Liz told The Evening Times: "Where we are – it is so quiet, and something like this to happen on your doorstep to such a lovely person is just unthinkable.
"It was such a terrible tragedy, and the whole community is in shock."
Paul was a well-known face on Glasgow's Buchanan Street, where he sold The Big Issue with his coined phrase: "Don't be shy; give it a try."
Mourners paid tribute to the 50-year-old by laying flowers and messages at his old pitch outside Sainsbury's, and held a vigil on Monday in his memory.
The Knightswood neighbours are aiming to raise £2,000 to help cover the funeral costs to 'ease the burden' on his friends and family.
READ MORE: Buchanan Street vigil held for Paul Kelly
"We want to help the family as much as possible – it must be horrendous for them at the moment," Linda told The Evening Times. "We don’t know their financial situation, but we’d love to help in any way we can.
"We’re just trying to do something for his family – he might be gone, but we want him to be laid rest in the right way."
Any money donated will be given directly to the undertakers after neighbours agreed it would be best for the family.
Read more of today's top Glasgow stories
You can donate to the funeral fund HERE.
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel