Syria campaign group raises funds for refugee who died in Grenfell Tower fire

Mohammed Alhajali was the first victim of the fire to be named. (Reuters)

DUBAI: The Syria Solidarity Campaign has launched a GoFundMe page for a Syrian refugee who died in London’s Grenfell Tower fire this week.
Mohammed Alhajali, 23, was the first victim to be publicly named as authorities say the death toll now stands at 17, with the number expected to rise significantly.
Director of the Syria Solidarity Campaign, Kareen El-Beyrouty, launched the page and within five hours people had already raised nearly $3449.
The page said: “Mohammed Alhajali undertook a dangerous journey to flee war in Syria, only to meet death here in the UK, in his own home. He died in the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in West London on June 14, along with other residents of the tower.
“Mohammed’s older brother Omar, who was with him in the flat, survived but lost Mohammed on the way out. Omar was rescued by the Fire Services while Mohammed went back upstairs. Mohammed was on the phone for two hours with a friend in Syria, waiting to be rescued.”
It page added: “He was hoping to be rescued, but when the building fire reached his flat on the 14th floor, Mohammed bid his friend goodbye, saying that the fire had reached him. He asked his friend to pass on the message to his family.
“We represent the Syria Solidarity Campaign. As friends of his family and on behalf of the family, we are raising money for his funeral and any remaining funds will be donated to Mohammed’s brother Omar and family. That way, his family in Syria can have a chance to say their last goodbyes.”
The BBC reported that Alhajali's family are trying to get visas for his parents so they can come from Damascus to see his body.
The report said the brother, Omar, was being treated at King's College Hospital and his condition was improving.
— With AFP