Big-hearted Bermudians have launched a fundraising campaign to bring stabbed tourist Scott Jable and his family back to the Island for a holiday.

Clayton Price has teamed up with The Spirit of Bermuda Charitable Trust to organise the four-day vacation in a bid to show the Jables that the Island is a safe and enjoyable destination.

The Fairmont Southampton Princess has already agreed to offer accommodation to Mr. Jable, his wife Christine and baby son Cole, but now Mr. Price is encouraging other residents and businesses to help out.

"I don't know Scott Jable at all, other than what I read happened to him when he was here in Bermuda a few weeks' ago," said Mr. Price.

"I felt offering the family the chance to come back to Bermuda for a holiday would be, morally, the right thing to do.

"What happened to them was a sad and tragic thing, and there seemed to be a consensus in the community that we needed to do something. It would be a small token gesture to bring them back here, so they can enjoy Bermuda at its best."

Mr. Jable, from Chicago, was window shopping along Front Street with his wife and child when he was stabbed in the back outside the Bees Knees store at about 9.30 a.m. at the end of October.

The blade entered his back, just centimetres from his spine, and for a few minutes both Mr. Jable and his wife believed that he would die.

The family were airlifted out of Bermuda the same day and taken for treatment at a Chicago hospital, where doctors said they believed no lasting damage had been done.

After spending some time in hospital, Mr. Jable is now back home and on the road to recovery, and has vowed that one day he and his family would return to the Island.

Mr. Price said he was hoping to turn that pipe dream into reality, although he said he wanted to keep it a surprise for the Jable family, at least for now, so was not contacting them until later.

"We already have the accommodation provided very kindly by the Fairmont Southampton, but we are going to need to provide their airfares, meals, taxi service, activities and general spending money," said Mr. Price.

"We are encouraging businesses, restaurants or residents to contribute and help out where ever they can by offering us something that will make the Jables' holiday enjoyable.

"We are hoping to bring them back to Bermuda when the weather is good next summer."

Mr. Price is hoping attractions, such as museums and places of interest, will be able to offer free admission to the Jable family, and he is hoping that at least three restaurants will offer them dinner in the evenings.

Dolphin Quest has already jumped to the wicket.

However, it is also hoped that monetary contributions will be made to the fund to cover the cost of the airfares and sundry expenses.

"Any contribution, large or small, would be very gratefully received," added Mr. Clayton.

"Hopefully, we will be able to invite them back next year so they can remember Bermuda for the good things, not the bad."

Peter Frith, director of sales at the Fairmont Southampton, said the hotel was delighted to be able to help out.

He said the hotel wanted to help the couple have the enjoyable holiday they had originally planned.

He said: "It is a wonderful idea - just to basically give them the feeling that all of us on the Island were very sorry that this happened and to let them know that it is definitely not normal."

Mr. Jable and his wife were staying with their long-time friend Kit Mueller on the Island when the stabbing occurred.

Mr. Mueller said yesterday that his friend had not been put off by the incident, and really did want to come back at some point. But he said he would not be telling Mr. Jable about the fundraising event, just yet.

He said: "I know that Scott now reads the newspapers here online and so will read about it himself, which I am sure will be a great surprise.

"I think the campaign is a great idea. It really shows how much people do care. Scott is doing great, but I think the recovery for him is going to be mental, rather than physical, especially for his wife, so being able to come back and walk along Front Street and meet all the people who helped them will be good for them."

The Registrar General's office has formalised the fundraising event, and contributions can be made to The Spirit of Bermuda - Scott Jable Fund, care of the Bank of Bermuda, attention of Wayne Dill, 6 Front Street, Hamilton, HM AX.

Over the counter contributions may also be made at any of the Bank of Bermuda branches.

Lorenzo Robinson 24, of no fixed abode, has been charged with the attempted murder of Mr. Jable. He has been remanded into custody.