A collection set up to support the family of an oil worker – who was killed on a rig offshore Qatar – has raised over £18,000.
More than 500 people have put their hands into pockets “to take some of the financial stress off the family” of Robert Robson, ahead of Christmas.
Countless tributes have also been paid to the 38-year-old, of Tyne and Wear, who was killed on the Seafox Burj jack-up oil rig in the Persian Gulf last week.
His family issued a statement on Friday, hailing him as an “amazing, one-of-a-kind, beautiful soul”.
They said: “He was a loving partner, dad, son, brother and uncle who was tragically taken too soon.
“He was an irreplaceable friend to many, and Robbie will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him.
“As a family, we request privacy at this time.”
Massive show of support
In order to show support for Mr Robson’s partner, Kristie Graham, a collection was subsequently launched late last week.
An initial target of raising £10,000 before Christmas was set, but that was quickly achieved, with hundreds of people digging deep.
At the time of writing (Tuesday morning), 566 people have donated a total of £18,083 in just a couple of days.
Tom Stanton, who is organising the initiative, said in a post on the Gofundme page: “Hi guys and girls, let’s get this sent about the industry, let’s pull together and take some of the financial stress off the family during this horrific time, we stand together with them and we have there backs!
“All of us can help, no donation too small, let’s get this done before Christmas, too try allow his family to grieve in their own time and not worry about anything else but trying to love some kind of a normal life again one day, there’s no right words for this situation, but let’s show our support in any way we can.”
Incident
A Scottish man – understood to be from the north-east of Scotland – has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder on the rig on Monday, December 12.
The accused is alleged to have killed a colleague before attacking Glasgow man Chris Begley with a pipe.
The three men involved were were working for Film Ocean, based in Ellon, which is part of France’s Stapem Offshore.
At around 1.40am on Monday, Mr Begley, 38, was allegedly struck on the head with a pipe after returning to the cabin he shared with the alleged killer and dead man.
Colleagues heard a commotion and raised the alarm. It was then that they discovered the body of the third man – who is from the north-east of England – in the cabin.