by Rachel Hovenden

A cafe and local schools are raising funds to help support a baby boy who suffered multiple injuries in a suspected assault.

The one-month old baby was taken to Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, on Thursday morning and later transferred to King’s College Hospital, London.

Kent Police north divisional commander chief superintendent Neil Jerome, said yesterday that the boy remains in a critical but stable condition.

The Sports cafe in Cedar Avenue, Gravesend is asking punters to donate any spare cash they can so the baby can have a good start in life.

Lawrence Maguire, 61, who lives on the King’s Farm estate in Gravesend, organised the collection for the child.

He said: "This is about [the baby]. I can’t believe the amount of negative things on Facebook - there’s been a lot of negative stuff.

"This is a positive thing to help the boy.

"I have lots of kids, and I’m in my sixties, but it doesn’t mean I don’t shed a tear.

"I hope this will raise money for the boy.

"I will hand over a big cheque and it will all be for him.

"I was holding my daughter’s baby, only 10 months, and it made me think, there must be something positive we can do for the boy."

Andy Constantinou, 58, leaseholder of the Sports Cafe pictured above said: “This is all down to Lawrence so all credit to him.

“It is the least that any of us can do.

“It is a lovely thought and we need more people thinking like that.”

Read more from Kent Police on the baby's condition here.