Arsonists target multicultural group’s food bank in Belfast ‘hate crime’

A crowdfunding drive to support a multicultural community group in Belfast whose food bank was torched in a “racist attack” has raised tens of thousands of pounds in less than 24 hours.

The Belfast Multi-Cultural Association (BMCA) on Donegall Pass was seriously damaged in a fire on Thursday night which police believe was started deliberately.

In response, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland director Patrick Corrigan set up a JustGiving page to help the group find a temporary new home, with a target of raising £10,000.

That initial target was passed within two hours of the page going live on Friday evening and by Saturday morning more than £30,000 had been raised for the group.

Mr Corrigan said the response had been “overwhelming” and added that the association and its volunteers represented “the true spirit of Belfast”.