More than £17k raised for Walsall Morrisons manager who was sacked after tackling shoplifter

More than £17,000 has been raised for a former Walsall Morrisons store manager who was sacked for confronting a shoplifter.

Sean Egan, aged 46, had worked at the Aldridge Morrisons store for more than 29 years before being sacked after tackling a repeat shoplifter, who had become aggressive while being escorted from the supermarket.

Mr Egan, from Lanesfield, Wolverhampton, said the incident took place in December last year and was investigated by Morrisons.

Following a disciplinary hearing, he told the BBC that he had been told he would be dismissed on the grounds of not following the company’s ‘deter-and-not-detain’ policy.

A protest was held outside Mr Egan’s former Morrisons store in Walsall on Saturday, with hundreds of people in attendance.

Now, a GoFundMe page set up with the initial aim of raising £10,000 to help with tribunal costs has surpassed its goal, gathering more than £17,665 in only five days.

The fundraising goal has since been raised to £18,000 to allow for further donations.

In an update on the fundraiser page, ‘The Aldridge Community’ posted an update from Sean, saying: “Wow, I’m genuinely blown away. The support I received yesterday was incredible.

“My community, my customers, my colleagues, you showed up. And those who didn’t know me, you showed up for me.

“Yesterday was something special. I had customers bringing me handwritten letters, signs, banners, even factor 50 suncream, but more than anything, it was the genuine warmth and support that stood out.”

Mr Egan said that he ‘had goosebumps’ all day, and that the turnout ‘exceeded anything’ he expected.

He said: “I had goosebumps all day. The turnout exceeded anything I expected, and it’s a reminder of just how powerful the community can be when people come together for something they believe in.

“I was disappointed not to receive a simple acknowledgement from the Senior Leadership Team at Morrisons, who were nearby observing events today, particularly after everything I’ve given over the years.

“But I won’t let that take away from what today was really about. Gratitude, community, and people standing together.”

To donate to the fundraiser or for more information, visit the GoFundMe website.