BBC star John Hunt’s GoFundMe is closing in on its £100,000 target after his wife and two daughters were killed in an alleged crossbow attack.
Hunt’s wife Carol 61, and daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, were murdered at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire on Tuesday.
Last Friday cops formally arrested Kyle Clifford, 26, after he was taken to hospital with self-inflicted injuries following a manhunt.
A GoFundMe page which The Sun’s Matt Chapman has organised to set up the Hunt family has attracted support from the entire racing world with punters digging deep into their pockets to raise just under £80,000 at the time of writing.
Matt said: “Much-loved sports commentator John Hunt is widely seen as one of the most talented and nicest blokes you could meet.
“Also a true family man. Hunty has always oozed decency. This Go Fund Me page has the blessing of John and his family.”
He added: “I am sure, like me, you have been left numb by what has happened.
“Well, what we can do is 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.”
In a statement, Hunt and his daughter Amy said: “The devastation that we are experiencing cannot be put into words.
“We would like to thank people for their kind messages and for the support we have received in recent days.
“These have provided great comfort to us for which we are very grateful.”
They added: “As you can imagine, this is an extremely difficult time for us.
“We need time and space to come to terms with what has happened and start the grieving process.
“While this is happening, we would ask that our privacy and that of our wider family and relations be respected at this time. Thank you.”
In his weekly column, Sun racing tipster Matt tells how he texted Hunt on Wednesday without expecting a reply.
But BBC racing star Hunt replied: “Thank you Matty, all love back at you xx.”
Matt writes: “In that short sentence everything you need to know about John Hunt shines through. Caring, loving, thoughtful.”
John Hunt is widely seen as one of the most talented and nicest blokes you could meet
Matt Chapman
A huge manhunt was launched for Clifford following the triple horror in Bushey, Hertfordshire on Tuesday night.
He was snared in a dramatic raid in a cemetery in his hometown of Enfield last Wednesday.
Clifford was rushed to a major trauma centre with suspected self-inflicted injuries before being formally charged.
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall said after the arrest: “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. Enquiries are continuing at this time.”
