Piotr Mikiewicz memorial fund reaches £30,000

Donations to the memorial fund set up in the wake of the death of our colleague Piotr Mikiewicz, who was fatally injured in August when he tried to prevent a burglary in Rylett Road, Hammersmith, have reached almost £30,000. The memorial fund comprises donations from his work colleagues, members of the local community, businesses and from his employer Serco.

As we now know, Piotr, being the good citizen he was, acted to help prevent the burglary as he carried out his street cleaning on our contract providing environmental services to Hammersmith & Fulham Council.

The tragic circumstances of Piotr's death struck a chord and the reaction to the incident from the local community has been overwhelming. Over the eight weeks since the incident took place hundreds of tributes have poured in through letters, the books of condolence, the council website and through blogs. Many people have also been expressing their sadness and support to Piotr's Serco colleagues who work on his beat.

Mike Boult, director, Serco said, "The level of the donations has been amazing. Piotr was a popular member of the environmental services team. He worked hard but was also a friend to everyone including those on his 'beat'. He wasn't just a road sweeper he was a part of the community he worked within genuinely caring about the residents and his 'beat'.

We are humbled by the community response, the tributes and support for Piotr and his family. We feel he would have been deeply touched by the warmth of the public response and that his actions had resonated so strongly. On behalf of Piotr's wife and family, Serco and Hammersmith and Fulham Council, we would like to say "thank you" for the kindness and generosity shown through the tributes and to all who have made donations."

Cllr Greg Smith, Hammersmith & Fulham Council Deputy Leader, said: "The whole borough has united to remember a thoroughly decent, brave and hardworking man. Piotr was a dedicated public servant, who cared passionately about his work and the streets and people around him.
He will be sorely missed around here but will never be forgotten. We all hope the generosity of local residents will offer some comfort to Piotr's widow and close family."

The memorial fund was established in response to the number of people who began spontaneously making donations to Serco and Hammersmith & Fulham Council as people sought to express their grief - and to help Piotr's family following his death.

Piotr's memorial fund, which is now closed, is to be shared equally between his widow and family to help support them. The books of condolence are also now closed and will be passed to his family.

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