A GofundMe set up for horse racing commentator John Hunt and his oldest daughter Amy following the murder of their family has already raised £20,000.
The fundraising page was launched yesterday in support of the remaining Hunt family after John’s wife Carol, 61, and the couple’s two youngest daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25 were killed in a horrific crossbow attack.
The three women were found fatally injured at a house in the quiet cul-de-sac of Ashlyn Close, in Bushey, Hertfordshire, just after 7pm on Tuesday.
Kyle Clifford, 26, was arrested on suspicion of their murders after he was found with injuries in the Hilly Fields area of Enfield, north London, on Wednesday.
John, a BBC commentator and Sky Sport racing presenter, released a statement yesterday via Sky colleague Matt Chapman thanking the public for their messages of support.
He also praised Amy for being ‘magnificently inspirational with her control and support for me’, which he said he was trying ‘so hard’ to replicate in return.
Matt is overseeing the GoFundMe page and wrote that it was with a ‘heavy heart’ the fundraiser was set up.
He said, with the ‘blessing of John and his family’, the aim was to raise as much money as possible for the Hunt family, ‘in particular daughter Amy’.
‘On the back of the horror, I know John would so dearly love Amy to be able to get through life without any financial worries,’ Matt added.
‘Of course, during these devastating times life continues. If we can relieve any stress for the Hunts then why wouldn’t we all do so?
‘This is a special family that has been left heartbroken. Please give anything you can to show them just how much we care and love them.
Matt described John as one of the ‘most talented and nicest blokes you could meet’ who ‘always oozed decency’.
The TV presenter read John’s statement to viewers during coverage from Ascot yesterday.
In it, John said: ‘Not withstanding the horrid evil which swept through our lives wreaking devastation on an unimaginable scale, the counter to that has been the breathtaking messages of support, some of which are still to be read.
‘Amy my eldest daughter has been magnificently inspirational with her control and support for me which I am trying so hard to replicate.
‘Every message has felt so important, the same as a reassuring hug. We know people are worried about us – we will get through this. Sending love to everyone, John.’
At a vigil at St James’ Church in Bushey on Thursday, friends of the Hunt family paid tributes.
Lea Holloway, 60, a childhood friend of Carol, described her as a ‘beautiful person’.
She said: ‘This is the stuff nightmares are made of.
‘They were a lovely family and (the daughters) were lovely girls.
‘They were making their way through life and their lives have been taken too soon. It’s the thing of nightmares.
‘I feel for their eldest daughter and John. I can’t imagine what it would be like.’
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the victims’ family at this tragic time.
‘The investigation is moving at pace and as a result, we have now arrested a man. Inquiries are continuing at this time.’
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