Norway fans raise R1.9m to aid ex-Bafana goalkeeper Emile Baron fallen on hard times

Supporters of football in Norway have raised almost R2 million after hearing that former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Emile Baron, who previously played for Lillestrøm SK, was living in poverty and relied on handouts to feed his family.

Two reports, which detailed Baron's struggles, appeared on the website of the Norwegian channel TV2 that caught the attention of supporters in the country.

The fundraising drive, led by the official supporters' group of Lillestrøm, Kanari-Fansen, saw fans and well-wishers contribute 1.1 million Kroner (R1.9m) towards helping Baron and his family.

Baron, who hails from Ocean View, Cape Town, played for Lillestrøm from January 1999 to July 2004, and his popularity with the club led to the fundraising efforts.

After an eviction from a single-bedroom house, some of the money has already been sent to Baron, and alternative accommodation is being planned for the family of four.

Nesten 1 million kroner er blitt samlet inn etter at @kanarifansen startet innsamling for hjemløse Emille Baron i Johannesburg. Her redegjør KFL-leder Tony Johansen for hva som nå skjer videre med pengene som er samlet inn. pic.twitter.com/8E3lFZ0ayc

The first TV2 report, published on March 18, depicted Baron's life, showing that there was not much left of him.

The former Wits shot-stopper owned only a bag of clothes and went on trips to collect empty bottles. He would sometimes meet acquaintances, who had given him some money, and by the end of the day, he might have enough to buy a loaf of bread.

Baron said that he had to swallow his pride for the sake of his family and that he was lucky to have his wife with him.

The second TV2 report revealed that Baron and his family had been evicted from the small house they were living in,