Guy Plante, managing director of Europcar in the Channel Islands, with some of the staff. Picturer: Tony Pike

AN appeal to help the devastated family of the Jersey schoolboy who died in a shooting accident in South America has got off to a ‘phenomenal’ start, say the organisers.

Staff at Europcar launched the campaign yesterday to raise funds to repatriate the body of Joao Calaça-Sousa (8), who died of gunshot wounds while he was playing at his aunt’s house in Venezuela. No further details have been released and it is not clear how Joao suffered the injuries.

Today Guy Plante, managing director of Europcar in the Channel Islands, where the boy’s father Roberto works, said that hundreds of pounds had already been raised.

He said: ‘The response has been absolutely phenomenal. If the level of donations continues, we will have an excellent chance of achieving our target or even getting a little bit more. It’s really important that people continue to donate and help out the family.’

Anyone who wants to donate to the appeal can pay directly into the Europcar – Joao Calaça-Sousa Fund at any HSBC branch, citing sort code 40-25-34 and account number 32345277. or they can pay online using the same details. Cheques made payable to Europcar – Joao Calaça-Sousa Fund can also be sent to the Europcar branch at the Airport.