Mayor Sadiq Khan urges Londoners to go out drinking one week on from London Bridge attack in act of defiance against terrorists
MAYOR of London Sadiq Khan has urged Londoners to visit the capital’s bars and restaurants tonight to show the “unity and resilience” of the city one week on from the devastating London Bridge terror attack.
Mr Khan said the city will stand united in grief for the eight people who were killed, adding that one of the greatest things about the capital is “how we pull together in the face of adversity”.
He said: “London is open. Our resilience, unity and defiance of those evil individuals who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life will never change.
“As we mark one week on from the appalling attack, we are coming together to raise money for the victims and their families.
“I urge all Londoners to do what they can to support this appeal and show the world that we are city that will never be divided or cowed by terrorism.”
As part of the evening, the Red Cross has organised its own charity collection.
Theatres, hotels and bars across London will come together and donate money from the sale of selected dishes or by asking for donations of the price of a drink.
Taxi company Uber will donate a pound for every journey in the capital between 8pm and midnight, while collections were made at other venues across the city.
Many theatres in the West End are donating £1 from every ticket sold to the charity.
The aim of the fund is to help the victims of terror attacks and their families anywhere in the UK, and right now in London.
A fund has also been set up to support Borough Market traders hit by business losses after last week’s atrocity.
The market, usually a busy hotspot for Londoners and tourists, has been closed since last Saturday after three terrorists left eight dead and 48 injured in a devastating attack.
The cordon around the area was lifted today.
The #LoveBorough fund has been set up by the Borough Market Trust, United St Saviours Charity and Better Bankside, and hopes to raise £50,000 for those affected.
Both charities support local people and communities and work to keep the area thriving.
The fund reached £25,000 in donations after just one day.
The Chair of the Borough Market Trust, Donald Hyslop, commented, “An atrocity of this magnitude has many hidden victims. Among these are the independent traders and producers who rely upon Borough Market for their livelihood. With the market still closed and with valuable stock lost, some of these traders—although none would be quick to admit it—are struggling.”
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said: “People will be thinking about what happened last Saturday night and respecting those who have lost their lives, their families and those who have been affected but also not giving in to terrorists and that includes in the immediate surrounds of Borough Market.”
If you would like to donate to the #NightForLondon fund you can text UNITY to 70607 to donate £10. Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message. The British Red Cross UK Solidarity Fund receives 100 per cent.
You can also Text HELP99 10 to 70070 to donate £10 and the Vodafone Foundation will match all donations until 9 August
You can donate online via , or by post to: British Red Cross, UK Solidarity Fund, Freepost RTGR-KXYA-KLZH, Paisley, PA1 1EA.
To donate go to the fund’s #LoveBorough fund page .