TRADERS mourning the loss of antiques dealer Justin Skrebowski are rallying together to raise funds for his family.

The Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association, which Mr Skrebowski was a member of, has so far raised £1,700 for his bereaved wife and twins.

Marc Harrison, chairman of the association, said: “We look after our own. We are all saddened to hear about it, mainly for his children. We want to be able to leave something for them. People have been sending lots of money. It’s shock, I suspect. It’s not every day one of our members is stabbed. Book dealing is quite a safe profession. But you never know what’s around the corner.”

The association is collecting donations from its 450 members and from customers at book fairs.

Our top stories

Mr Skrebowski, aged 61, who was stabbed to death in Poundland’s Abingdon store, lived in North Oxford with his wife Gulsen Alkan and their three-year-old twins.

He was attacked on December 7 – Ms Alkan’s 39th birthday.

Cheques can be sent to Unit 5 The Old Coach House,16 Melbourn Street, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 7BZ.

Book dealer Michael Down, of Boundary Books in Childrey, is running a separate campaign for the same cause.

On his website he describes Mr Skrebowski as a good personal friend.

He said in the statement: “Justin was blessed to have his first children late in life and they were the apple of his eye. We often spoke together about his plans for their future, plans that he will never know.

“We will all miss his unique talent and knowledge of art and his thoughtful and challenging intellect.”

Donate to his Just Giving page, which has already hit £605 of his £2,000 target, at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/JustinSkrebowski.

Trevor Joyce, 36, from Abingdon, appeared in Oxford Crown Court on December 11 charged with murder in relation to the death. If he pleads not guilty and is judged fit to stand trial, his hearing will start on June 6.