Wilmington helps family of Good Samaritan

Wilmington city leaders have set up a fund to offset the funeral expenses for a man being called a local hero.

“Every day heroes should be an inspiration for each of us,” said City Council President Theo Gregory about Thomas Cottingham, who was fatally stabbed last week in Wilmington.

Cottingham stepped in to protect and save a mother and her baby from being assaulted at the Rodney Square bus station. On Tuesday, Gregory announced he had established the “Thomas Cottingham Funeral Fund” to cover additional costs of the funeral and burial.

According to officials, the Delaware Victim Compensation Assistance Program, which is administered by the attorney general’s office, has already come forward to assist the family.

“Mr. Cottingham did not hesitate to do what he felt was right in protecting a young mother and her child. I believe that his actions reflected the good that is inside all of us. Thomas was truly a Good Samaritan and we should commemorate his last, outstanding deed,” said Gregory, who donated $100 to the fund.

The fund has been established in conjunction with the Congo Funeral Home in Wilmington, which will directly accept all donations in Cottingham’s memory. As for money collected beyond the cost of funeral services, it will be donated to the Police Athletic League of Wilmington.

The funeral is scheduled for Thursday.

Donations to the Thomas Cottingham Funeral Fund should be sent to:Congo Funeral HomeP.O. Box 2593Wilmington, DE 19805Memo Line: Thomas Cottingham