Man stabbed in unprovoked attack by British Army soldier to get crucial surgery following fundraiser
Tharel Thompson's mum Yvonne says she "got on her knees" after receiving the donations which will now pay the deposit for her son's vital surgery.
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The Source Exclusive: Man stabbed in unprovoked attack by British Army soldier to get crucial surgery following fundraiser
Tharel’s mum Yvonne says she and her son are “grateful” for the kindness shown by those who donated.
STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO
AUGUST 13, 2025
The mum of a man who was stabbed in an unprovoked attack has thanked the public after raising the deposit for her son’s crucial surgery.
A few days after arriving on holiday to the UK from Barbados, Tharel Thompson, 30, was brutally stabbed in the head by a then-serving British Army soldier at a bar in Reading on February 11, 2024.
But since surviving the vicious assault, the former lighting technician has needed to have a titanium plate fitted to replace a piece of his skull and protect his brain.
Due to the 30-year-old not being a UK citizen, his mother Yvonne Thompson has been struggling to pay his staggering £160,000 medical bill while he remains in the country.
However, following donations towards the GoFundMe she set up, they have now received enough to pay the £10,000 deposit required for his vital surgery.
Speaking to The Source, Yvonne said: “I’m excited. I got down on my knees to give thanks.”
Yvonne also updated the GoFundMe to express her gratitude to those who had donated to the fund.
She wrote: “Tharel and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated, shared and supported us on this journey.
“Because of your incredible generosity, we were able to make the deposit for the surgery and now we’re just waiting for the date to be confirmed!”
Yvonne added that she was “grateful” as the kindness shown brought them “one step closer to healing.”
The mum-of-one also went on to thank The Source for their support as well as Diana Collymore who completed the skydive as The Source previously reported.
Krisma Anthony, 23, who attacked Tharel has since been sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempted murder.
A British Army source told The Source that, “while the Army expects the highest standards of behaviour from all of it’s personnel, Mr Anthony is no longer serving and this matter has been dealt with through the Criminal Justice System”.
The GoFundMe for Tharel has now reached over £48,000 which has already gone towards paying for Tharel’s rehabilitation at a facility.
The family still needs more donations to help with Tharel’s continued recovery as he puts the pieces of his life back together.
To donate to the fundraiser, click here.