Hundreds of people have helped smash a fundraising target to support a much-loved Big Issue vendor.
Jeff Knight is famous for the fist bumps and positive messages he spreads while selling magazines on Stokes Croft.
Having spent almost 20 years sleeping rough on the streets of Bristol, the Jamaican was delighted when friends raised enough money in 2019 to buy him a live-in Volkswagen van.
His friend Deasy Bamford started a new crowdfunder on Sunday (February 21) to raise £1,200 for some welding work on Jeff's van, as well as insurance and tax.
And in just two days 249 people have donated, bringing the total to £3,379 at the time of writing (February 23). The extra funds will be kept aside for the next year.
Deasy wrote on the Gofundme page that Jeff's time in the van has been "great", adding: "He's been able to move about a few times and find himself a good place to have his base.
"Life has been a bit more challenging for him in virus times, but he's managing to have some security, through his van.
"The money we raised has mostly all gone, maintaining the van and keeping it legal so he has no hassle. Some of the money went to helping Jeff through the first lockdown."
Deasy explained the latest fundraiser was needed to "keep Jeff legal and safe where he is" for the next year.
Donations have been flooding in since the Gofundme page went live.
One donor, Deshni Pyndiah, wrote: "Jeff, you are a Bristol treasure. Keep safe."
Georgie Thompson added: "Jeff spreads a lot of love around Bristol - it’s the least we can do to help to keep him safe and dry :)"
A third donor, Keeley Hudd, commented: "Jeff has always cheered me up on some pretty dire days. A beacon of light in Bristol."
When we interviewed Jeff about his home in 2019, he said it was "amazing".
Asked his favourite thing about the van, he said: “I like watching telly – things like NCIS, Law and Order and Blue Planet with David Attenborough.”
You can donate to the fundraiser here.
Today’s top Bristol stories:
Investigation into Bristol takeaway over plug in onion bhaji
Three-storey block of flats approved despite public opposition
