Critically injured cycle courier ‘humbled’ by donations

A freelance cycle courier left critically injured by a driver today thanked “beautiful” Londoners who dug deep to help pay his rent.

Medics warned Damien Doughty, 37, not to cycle while his body heals after he was hit in Hackney a month ago by a motorist who did not stop.

As he receives no sick pay and was living off his credit card and preparing to sell some belongings, he appealed for £300 towards his rent on the Crowdfunder website. After his plight was highlighted in the Standard on Monday he has received £2,260 from 111 donors — as well as good wishes, prayers and “virtual hugs”.

Mr Doughty also revealed that on Sunday he put on the hoodie he was wearing on the day of the crash and found a business card in its pocket. It had been left by a witness with his own phone number and what he believed was the driver’s numberplate.

Mr Doughty is recovering from injuries including a lacerated liver, punctured lung, internal bleeding and a broken right hand. One donor called Mike wrote: “I saw the article in the Evening Standard — so sorry you’ve had to endure this but I hope the money will help and maybe if there’s enough you can have a nice summer break somewhere to aid your recuperation.”

Anthony Burns said: “Damien, please do not worry any more and keep all your possessions.”

Another donor, Amy, wrote how her father, a cycle courier, died after being hit by a lorry in Oxford Street.

Mr Doughty said he was “humbled and flabbergasted” by the response, which will cover two months’ rent, pay off his credit card, replace his trainers which were destroyed in the crash and still leave more funds. He said: “It means I can focus on getting well. The comments were amazing, it’s just so nice to know we’re living in this city where there’s so much humanity and people who help, it’s really beautiful.”

Of the business card, he said: “I called up the number and it was a guy who’d witnessed the accident and followed the [suspected] driver for a while.”

A 23-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of GBH with intent, failing to stop at scene of collision and injury by dangerous driving. She was bailed until next month.