A COLLECTION for the family of a young chef and father-of-two who died after a scooter crash has raised more than £850.

And a bank account set up by friends of Karol Kunicki to support fiancée Ania Monika Cicha and their six-week-old son has reportedly seen around £2,600 paid in by businesses and individuals in Chester.

A meeting was held at The Faulkner pub in Hoole on Saturday to raise awareness of road safety on the railway bridge on Hoole Road – the scene of last Monday’s tragic incident.

Sue Mason, of community group Notting Hoole, said the show of unity for Ania and Karol’s family from residents and businesses in Hoole had been “heart-warming”.

She said: “Everyone has got behind them. We’ve already collected £850 from the community and businesses in the area. There were tenners just dropping in; it was overwhelming.

“It's been an amazing reaction from the community. We had people and businesses in Boughton and the city centre donating too. It’s not just Hoole, it is radiating out now.”

Linda Hobbs, also of Notting Hoole, added: “The community has come together at a time of tragedy and loss of one of their own. 

“There has been an outpouring of support from across the city.”

Karol, a chef in hotels and restaurants across the city, died when his new scooter hit Hoole bridge.

The 34-year-old, originally from Poland, was said to be returning home after having his son’s name tattooed on his neck.

He leaves behind 19-year-old fiancée Ania, and their young son Brian. He also had a child from another relationship.

Tributes continue to pour in for Karol, who was well-known in the Hoole area.

Charlotte Greene, who worked with him at The Faulkner, said: “No matter how he was or what he was going through, he always made time to ask you how you were. He was friendly happy man.”

At the time of his death, Karol was holding down several jobs, as a chef at the Brookside Hotel on Brook Lane, and as a kitchen porter at the Siam Thai and Teppan-yaki restaurant on City Road.

He also helped out at the Ruan Orchid Thai restaurant on Lower Bridge Street.

His boss at the Brookside Hotel, Richard Mansel-Edwards, described him as a “real family man” and a “proper gentleman”.