London Bus Driver Raises £4,500 After Heroic Necklace Rescue

When 62-year-old Mark Hehir saw a thief snatch a passenger's necklace on his bus, he didn't hesitate. The north London bus driver chased down the thief, recovered the stolen jewelry, and defended himself when the criminal tried to punch him.

His reward? Getting fired by his employer, Metroline.

But the public had other ideas about what this hero deserved. Within days of his dismissal, a GoFundMe campaign launched by web developer Henry Goff has raised over £4,500 for Hehir. An online petition demanding his reinstatement has gathered more than 6,000 signatures.

"I'm not a guy who attacks people, but I will defend people in trouble, which has unfortunately proved to be my downfall," Hehir told the Metro. The employment tribunal upheld Metroline's decision to terminate him, even though he was protecting a vulnerable passenger.

Goff, who started the fundraiser, couldn't sit by and watch injustice unfold. "He's a hero, he's the kind of person that I think we all need to see and that we need more of," Goff said. "Society in some way has got to set this right."

The support goes beyond donations. Shadow Tory justice minister Kieran Mullan launched the petition, arguing that "law abiding people should not be punished for standing up to thugs." Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick posted that Metroline should "reinstate Mark and apologise for their disgraceful conduct."

Hehir's character shines through his past actions too. He volunteered for months in Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion, putting himself in harm's way to help others in need.

The Ripple Effect

This story has touched a nerve across Britain. Thousands of people are sending a clear message: we value those who stand up for others, even when institutions don't. The overwhelming response shows that communities will rally behind everyday heroes who put themselves at risk to protect strangers.

Goff dreams of the moment when he can take Hehir out for a pint of Guinness to celebrate. "This is civil justice," he said, beaming about the support pouring in.

When good people do brave things, sometimes the world steps up to make things right.