Tang appeal fund to help ‘reduce hatred’

Simon Tang (28) died after he was brutally attacked and robbed outside his take-away business at Woodburn Road in 1996.

In 2012, police initiated a fresh appeal for information about the racist crime and the extended Tang family launched, via Facebook, a campaign to raise a reward for anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of Simon’s murderers.

Despite a lengthy reinvestigation, no-one was convicted and now the campaign organisers are considering how the money can be put to best use for the wider community.

In an update this week on Facebook, they explained: “The experience has reopened painful wounds for the family but ultimately we do not regret the attempt made by PSNI to bring Simon’s murderers before the courts.

“We would like to thank those members of the public who responded positively to the appeal and to those who helped to raise £800 towards the reward tally.

“As a conviction was not forthcoming, the reward was never issued so the family is donating the money to the Chinese Welfare Association who assisted us with the appeal. We are currently in talks with CWA to decide the best use of the money.

“The intention is to use it to promote better relations between all communities in Northern Ireland. We believe better education and addressing inequalities at all levels of our society will reduce violence and hatred of any kind in our society.

“We hope Simon’s name will stand for the hope of a peaceful and just future for Northern Ireland not our political point scoring present and troubled past.”