A York teenager wounded during the shooting in the Polish city of Krakow has been left 'overwhelmed' by the rallying support from his home city.
Harry Marchant remains in hospital after being shot in Krakow’s Main Square on Saturday afternoon, November 7.
The 19-year-old from Haxby was one of 15 people injured by a gunman who killed six people, including a British man who has not been named.
Harry's parents rushed to his hospital bedside in the Polish city, where he remains in a "stable condition".
They are now desperately trying to raise funds to help bring Harry home to the UK once he is medically fit to travel.
Due to his injury, his mum Fran Talbot said travel was 'likely to be by land as flying may not be an option'.
A GoFundMe page has been launched - Fundraiser by Fran Talbot : Harry Marchant - British Krakow victim - to ease the financial burden, with logistical costs expected to be significant. The page said any additional funds would help with any mental health needs in the future and his recovery.
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More than £8,000 has already been donated as friends, family and complete strangers rally.
Fran told The Press: "It is probably a mother's worst nightmare. You see it on the TV and you can't comprehend it but you never think it will happen to you."
She said: "He was shot by the gunman. He was with two friends. They are ok but they witnessed it as well."
Harry would decide how much more detail he wanted to share about what happened when he was safely home, she said.
Harry is expected to be in hospital for about a week before being well enough to return home. "He was shot and has been extremely poorly. For me, it is about getting him home.
"At the moment we are looking at trains which will mean going through all the different countries in Europe. That's quite a logistical challenge when we have had something major happen.
"This is why we have launched a GoFundMe. The cost implication is significant to get him home as safely and be as comfortable as possible."
Harry's medical costs have been covered as Harry had a European Health Insurance Card, however he did not have travel insurance. Fran said her impression, from speaking with officials, was that "it was up to us and Harry to get him home'".
Expressing their gratitude to supporters of the GoFundMe appeal, Fran said: "Thank you a million times. We are overwhelmed - Harry is overwhelmed. The support has been absolutely amazing and it has taken so much pressure off."
Messages of support have also come from far and wide via The Press and York City FC's social media pages.
"Harry is a very big York City fan and the response on Facebook has been amazing," said Fran. "Everyone loves Harry. He knows pretty much all the players, so their support has been really nice."
Fran went on to praise the medical care Harry had received since Saturday in Poland.
"The first responder that came to him, the ambulance that came got him straight into hospital and the support we have had from everyone has been 150 per cent. Nobody could have helped us more than they have done and the care he has received has been outstanding. The health service is amazing."
The Foreign Secretary has formally designated the attack in Krakow, Poland on 7 November 2026 as an act of terrorism, and said it was supporting the Marchant family.
A spokesperson for the FCDO, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, said: “Our deepest sympathies remain with the families impacted by the terrorist attack in Krakow at this incredibly difficult time.
“Our priority is to support those affected with compassion and respect, and to provide information that is accurate and clear.
"Consular staff remain in contact with both families, continuing to support them alongside UK police family liaison officers.”
What happened to the gunman?
The 24-year-old gunman, who is also suspected of killing three members of his own family, was taken to hospital after he was shot by police but died later.
The Polish national was believed to have been inspired by “far-right ideologies”.
Authorities found three dead bodies at the suspected gunman’s family home in Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski, a city about 93 miles north-east of Krakow.
Police said on Sunday they were the bodies of his sister, mother and father, and they are believed to have been shot.
- British nationals in the area should follow the advice of local authorities and check FCDO Travel Advice for the latest information: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/poland
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