The family of Conor Spraggs, who was tragically killed abroad in August 2018 aged 23, has raised over £19,500 for Victim Support, the country’s leading independent charity for victims of crime.
Conor, a furniture fitter from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was killed whilst on holiday in the resort of San Antonio in Ibiza. His mum, Lisa, has described him as a “very well loved” and “popular lad”. “People were drawn to him”, she has said, illustrated by the fact that around 500 people, from all different walks of life, attended his funeral.
Conor’s sister, Shannon, initially set up the Conor Spraggs Foundation to raise money to help other families repatriate loved ones who had been killed abroad, and generally to give something back after all the support they received. The family has organised lots of different event and activities to raise money for the Foundation, including raffles, quiz nights, and Zumba classes. Friends of the family also took on physical challenges, including a marathon and a Highland hike.
Following Conor’s death, his family received both emotional and practical support from the National Homicide Service, delivered by Victim Support. This has included helping the family to repatriate Conor’s heart, and supporting Lisa whilst she waits for the case to go to court. The family are so pleased with the support they have received that they have decided to donate the thousands of pounds raised by the Conor Spraggs Foundation to Victim Support.
Victim Support’s National Homicide Service supports families bereaved by murder and manslaughter, as well as eyewitnesses of homicides and major incidents. This vital service helps people in a number of ways, including:
- Navigating and knowing what to expect from the criminal justice system;
- Helping with their immediate needs, such as accessing financial assistance;
- Providing help through trusted partner services including bereavement and/or trauma counselling, restorative justice, and debt, legal and housing advice.
Lisa Spraggs, Conor’s mum, said:
“The support we have received from Victim Support has been amazing. I would be lost without the charity and my wonderful caseworker. We lost Conor over five years ago, but I am still receiving support today. The work that they do is really important and we wanted to give something back, to help other people who sadly find themselves in our situation. We are really grateful to everyone who has raised money or donated over the years and this donation is a great way to honour Conor’s memory.”
Ellen Milazzo, Head of the National Homicide Service, said:
“We would like to say a huge thank you to Conor’s family for all their hard work raising such an incredible amount of money for Victim Support. Losing a loved one to murder or manslaughter, especially abroad, is devastating and disorientating. It is essential that the right support is available for those dealing with such traumatic events. Donations such as these help ensure that we are there for people if and when they need us.”
If you’ve been affected by crime, call Victim Support’s free 24/7 Supportline on 08 08 16 89 111 or use the free live chat function on their website.