A soldier who was stabbed multiple times near an army barracks has thanked kind strangers who helped raise £50,000 for him and his family.
Lt Col Mark Teeton was knifed near Brompton Barracks in Gillingham on July 23 as he walked along Sally Port Gardens with his wife.
He was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition and was later discharged four weeks later.
He has now spoken out about the “horrific experience” and said he will accept the generous donations.
The 47-year-old is believed to have been living in military accommodation in Sally Port Gardens, which is just a few minutes walk from the barracks and home to the Royal School of Military Engineering.
Since KentOnline broke the news of the shocking stabbing, almost £50,000 has been raised for him on a GoFundMe fundraiser set up by GB News presenter Darren Grimes.
Lt Col Teeton has indicated he will accept the cash to support him in recovery.
“It was overwhelming to receive that amount of support and generosity from complete strangers,” he said in a statement.
“We took strength and comfort from all the messages when we had just been through the most horrific experience.
“Our family can not thank those people enough.
“We would like to thank Darren Grimes for highlighting the impact knife crime has on the victim and their families.
“We are so grateful that he used his platform to increase awareness and make us realise we were not alone.”
The man accused of trying to stab the uniformed soldier to death is expected to stand trial in January.
Anthony Esan faces charges of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article following the attack on Lt Col Teeton.
The 24-year-old, of Mooring Road, Rochester, was arrested by police about 30 minutes after the stabbing.
During a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on August 22, Esan’s trial was fixed to start on January 20.
It is expected to last three weeks and will be heard by a High Court judge.
