Donations for London cyclists killed on same day last week top £25k

Over £25,000 has been pledged in memory of Karla Roman and Anita Szucs, two cyclists who were killed in separate incidents on London’s roads last week.

Roman was knocked down by a coach on CS2 on February 6 and The London Evening Standard reports that her family and close friends are now making the necessary arrangements to repatriate her body to her native Brazil.

A JustGiving page has been set up to cover the funeral, memorial and associated costs. Any remainder will be donated to a charity cause.

A friend who set up the campaign explained: “Karla was taken from us too early, and like many people aged 32 had no insurance, she just had plans, ambition, love and kindness.”

Over £18,000 has been raised so far.

Szucs was the victim of a suspected hit and run near her home earlier the same day. Colleagues from the Lidl regional distribution centre in Enfield have set up a JustGiving page with funds going towards funeral costs and to help support her grieving family. Almost £8,000 has been raised.

Two men, aged 19 and 22, have been questioned by police on suspicion of causing Szucs’ death by dangerous driving and of failing to stop at the scene of a collision. Both have been bailed until next month pending further enquiries.

On Saturday, hundreds of cyclists staged a ‘die-in’, lying on the pavement outside the Treasury for a one-minute silence.

The protest, organised by Stop Killing Cyclists, was originally intended to focus on air pollution, but ended up also paying tribute to Roman and Szucs, plus another cyclist, Ben Wales, who was crushed to death by a 40-tonne tipper truck in Docklands later in the week.