A top athlete from Sierra Leone who came to the UK for the Commonwealth Games last summer and ended up staying on after his family died from Ebola is facing deportation, but the Internet is rushing to his help.
Jimmy Thoronka ended up homeless and overstaying his visa as the games ended, unable to return to Sierra Leone as the disease, which had killed his adopted mother and siblings, spread across the country.
After months of living rough and surviving on little food he was finally arrested last Friday and told he'd be "processed by immigration", but people have emerged from several corners of the internet with offers of help.
Sierra Leone's flagbearer James Fayia leads the delegation during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow on July 23, 2014.
Thoronka's story begins last summer. Sierrra Leone's top 100 metre sprinter arrived in Glasgow burning with ambition to bring home some medals. For him, the Commonwealth Games was "the big one."
However, back home the Ebola outbreak was accelerating, and during his trip he heard that his adoptive uncle had died. While he competed in the 100m x 100m relay, the news devastated Thoronka and derailed the competition.
He says that there were no flights to Sierra Leone after the tournament and his team mates scattered. Thanks to this, and a stolen passport, he overstayed his visa when it expired last September, and after a brief stay at a friend's house he ended up living rough on the streets in London, afraid to contact the Home Office.
Latest Stories
-
Celebration of debts with Kenkey parties brought our economy to this low level – Suhuyini
6 mins -
Amidu’s petition strengthening Akufo-Addo’s desire to remove independent officeholders – Suhuyini
49 mins -
I was so proud when Afronita and Abigail danced to ‘Antenna’ at Britain’s Got Talent – Fuse ODG
1 hour -
Martin Amidu can’t judge Kissi Agyebeng by his ‘low standards’ – Suhuyini
1 hour -
GOC President denies not fulfilling promise to Deborah Acquah after 2022 Commonwealth Games
1 hour -
Foden named English Premier League Player of the Season
1 hour -
Amidu’s petition against Special Prosecutor not strong enough to justify an impeachment – Amanda Clinton
2 hours -
Ghanaians can’t continue to suffer for your recklessness – Minority Leader to government
2 hours -
Project worth $134m launched to eliminate mercury in medical devices
2 hours -
Fix depreciating Cedi urgently instead of securing new loans – Ato Forson to government
2 hours -
EC should take immediate steps to expand voter registration access – New Force
3 hours -
Women’s Premier League and FA Cup finals set for June 8 at University of Ghana Stadium
3 hours -
Parliament approves $150m loan to tackle Accra floods under GARID project
3 hours -
Banks deny engaging in practices contributing to cedi’s depreciation
3 hours -
Allow legal processes to take place in Kissi Agyebeng’s impeachment case – Vitus Azeem
3 hours