Cheryl Hooper: Fund for mother shot dead in Newport tops £4,000
Fundraising for a mother who was shot and killed outside her house has topped £4,000.
Friends of Cheryl Hooper have been taken aback by how generously people have been donating, with many people offering upwards of £100.
More than 150 people have now given money for Cheryl, 51, who was shot in Farmers Gate, Newport, 12 days ago.
The funds will be given to Cheryl's daughter to help support her in years to come.
The target for the JustGiving page is £30,000.
Hannah Mennie, who started the crowdfunding campaign, said that she felt she had to start the fundraising because it was something Cheryl would have done.
The pair worked together at Lawley Dental Practice.
"She was such a lovely person," Hannah said.
"She was very kind to me in the time I was at the practice. She had time for everybody. If she heard there was someone who needed help, she'd be the first to offer.
"This is why the fundraising is so important. She'd have done it for other people.
"We need to show her daughter that how her mom was pays off – it's worth being kind and generous, because people will do it for you as well."
Hannah said she was happy that people were donating so generously to the fund.
"She meant such a lot to everybody. One of the dentists at Lawley knew her for 15 years. We were all very close. How well the JustGiving page is doing shows what a community spirit can do.
"My husband is in the military and we live in the north of Scotland. When I found out what had happened I felt very, very far away.
"But now Cheryl's daughter is with her grandparents. They're both in their 70s, it's going to be a lot of pressure on them. It's a really daunting time for everybody.
"We wanted to make sure that they knew that people cared and wanted to support them."
Along with leaving donations, people are continuing to offer their own tributes to Cheryl on the JustGiving page.
Debbie Prince, who donated to the fund, said: "Cheryl was my neighbour when I first moved to Newport over 25 years ago. I remember her as beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside."
Another fundraiser, Sarah Vickers, said: "Thinking of your daughter and family at this devastating time.
"You always had a lovely smile for us when we came along to Lawley Dental practice. Goodnight and God bless."
A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder three miles away, but remains in hospital with gunshot wounds.
Neighbours reported hearing gunshots in the area at around 11.15pm on the night of Cheryl was found dead in a car.
Paramedics were called, but were unable to save her.
