Last updated at 13:54, Tuesday, 08 May 2012

SHOPPERS in Ulverston are taking part in a collection to show their support for the family of a freed hostage.

By Natalie Chapples

Julie Atkinson, who works at Brocklebanks in the town, has started a month-long collection for the family of Judith Tebbutt, who was kidnapped from a Kenyan beach resort by Somali pirates in September. Mrs Tebbutt’s husband, 58-year-old David, was shot dead during the abduction.

Mrs Tebbutt, who is originally from Ulverston, was released in March after being held for more than six months. It was reported her family paid a ransom of 1.3 million US dollars (£800,000) for her release.

She revealed after her release that she did not know her husband had been killed for two weeks after she was kidnapped.

Mrs Tebbutt, an ex-pupil of Victoria School, which formed today’s Ulverston Victoria High School, now lives in Hertfordshire but her brothers and sister and mother Gladys still live in Ulverston and the surrounding area.

Mrs Atkinson said she and other people in the community want to show their support and raise a small amount so that the family can organise a reunion.

The supporters, led by Mrs Atkinson, would also like to organise a fundraising event in Ulverston.

Mrs Atkinson, said: “We want to show our support and what we can do as a community. It would be for the family to do what they wanted with it.”

Mrs Tebbutt’s mother said the collection is a nice gesture, but she would like any money collected to benefit others.

Mrs Tebbutt’s sister, Carol McDougall, who spent some time with her sibling at Easter, said: “It is a lovely thought. It is quite humbling.

“Jude is coping well after the seven months she was held captive.

“People in Ulverston have been genuinely concerned for Jude and us. We thank them for their support.”

First published at 13:26, Tuesday, 08 May 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk