Celebrities Rally To Support 11-Year-Old Kid Who Lost His Finger 'Fleeing School Bullies'

Celebrities are rallying round an 11-year-old boy who lost his finger 'fleeing school bullies', his mum has said.

Raheem Bailey was beaten up by a group of children at school on Tuesday (17 May), Shantal Bailey said.

The 28-year-old said her son tried to escape school but got his right-hand ring finger caught while climbing a fence, and it later had to be amputated.

She said Raheem has faced 'racial and physical abuse' since he started secondary school at Abertillery Learning Community in South Wales in September.

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As well as receiving a message of support from boxer Anthony Joshua, footballers Jadon Sancho and Ashley Williams have sent private messages of support via Bailey's Instagram account.

Bailey said Raheem also received messages from football manager Chris Hughton, pundit Gary Neville and Olympic BMX biker Kye Whyte.

US basketball player Gerald Green, who forged a hugely successful career with nine fingers, has even set up a call to speak to Raheem directly, his mum added.

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A fundraiser she set up on GoFundMe three days ago has already racked up more than £93,000 in donations.

Speaking to PA news agency yesterday (Sunday 22 May), Bailey said: "Here's so many people just in different places that have been so generous, and I did not expect what has happened so I am truly, truly grateful for it."

Explaining how Raheem lost his finger, she said: "While he was climbing over, he had a ring on, and his ring attached to the fence and it ripped but also broke his finger.

"Basically, he was running away because he was so tired of being picked on every day."

She added: "It is difficult, as a mum, having to tell your child that people might not like you because of your skin – not because you're mean, not because you're horrible, but just because of the skin he was born into."

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council issued a statement over the weekend confirming that all campuses at Abertillery Learning Community would be closed today (Monday 23 May).

The statement read: "Abertillery Learning Community is working with Gwent Police in relation to an ongoing investigation into an alleged assault on the secondary campus.

"All campuses at Abertillery Learning Community will be closed tomorrow on health and safety grounds. Learners will access blended learning for Monday, May 23.

"The safety and well-being of learners and staff remains of paramount importance to the Learning Community and the Local Authority at all times."

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Superintendent Vicki Townsend, of Gwent Police, said the incident is being investigated.

She said: "Our officers are supporting and liaising closely with the family of the young boy who, when leaving the school grounds following the reported assault, received a serious injury to his hand as a result of it being caught in a fence.

"Since we received this report, on Wednesday, 18 May, there has been significant interest and coverage of this.

"I would urge people to think about the impact their social media posts and commentary could have on those affected, as the police investigation continues. We're working closely with the school and officers continue to carry out enquiries in the area."