The loved ones of the mum and kids who were injured in a chemical attack in Clapham have raised more than £43,000 for their recovery.

The 31-year-old and her daughters, aged eight and three, were attacked in Lessar Avenue at 7.25pm on January 31.

They were taken to hospital following the incident in which a man threw a corrosive alkaline substance at them.

A manhunt was launched for suspect Abdul Ezedi, 35, who is accused of pouring a strong alkali on his ex-partner, and injuring her kids.

Commander Jon Savell said it was possible that Ezedi had gone into the River Thames and is “most likely dead” as he was pictured on CCTV walking near the river towards Victoria Embankment hours after the attack.

A picture of the family, with love hearts on their faces, was released in a GoFundMe fundraiser on February 7 which has currently raised £43,766.

In a statement, close friends of the victim who have launched a fundraiser for the family said: “Our friend is first and foremost a devoted and loving mother.

“Her children are her life. She is generous to a fault and a wonderful cook and host.

“All she has ever wanted is a safe home for her and her beautiful, kind little girls.”

The mum is still too ill to speak to police and her injuries were so severe the incident is being treated as attempted murder.

Her daughters have since been discharged from hospital and are recovering from their injuries.

The friends’ statement continued: “As their loved ones we are still coming to terms with the fact that this monstrous attack will change their lives forever.

“It is difficult to imagine now how they will recover, and all we want is for them to be able to rebuild their lives.

“We cannot put into words how grateful we are to the heroic neighbours of Lessar Avenue.

“They risked their own lives to save them and we can only imagine how distressing the attack was for them too. They are angels in our eyes.

“We know this incident has deeply touched people across the UK, and even a very small donation would be invaluable.”

Ezedi was travelling around on the Tube network using his bank card and, after that, appears to have been walking a route that broadly hugged the River Thames.

Savell said as the Thames is very fast-flowing this time of year and very wide, it is possible that Ezedi may never be found.

He added: "Before Chelsea bridge, Ezedi walked with purpose and his behaviour at Chelsea bridge visibly changes.

“He walks up and down and can be seen leaning over the railings.

“No CCTV of Ezedi was seen after this point”

A body was also recovered from the River Thames in Victoria Parade, Greenwich at 7.20am on February 8.

Although enquiries are ongoing to identify the male, a spokesperson for Metropolitan Police confirmed the body was not Ezedi’s.

Another two bodies were found in the River Thames on February 10 but neither belonged to Ezedi.

Investigators said that the mum agreed to meet him on the day of the attack, and that she and her children were in a car with Ezedi when he struck.

Commander Savell said the breakdown of the relationship could be a motive for the attack.

It was confirmed that Ezedi is not the father of the woman’s children who were also injured during the incident.

A fundraiser has been launched on GoFundMe to support the family here.