A Givealittle page has been launched to rally donations for Bhavna Patel, the Kiwi-Indian woman who was battered with a hammer during a robbery in Mt Roskill on July 5, 2023.
Two men walked into Jyotis Dairy between 4 pm and 5 pm, and one of them swung a hammer at Bhavna. She triggered the fog alarm, after which the second assailant kept hitting her head with a hammer.
Doctors administered seven stitches on her head. Police say the assailants were still at large as of July 7 evening.
The Givealittle page aims to facilitate Bhavna's recovery and support her family during this difficult time. The Givealittle page has already received contributions from 20 generous donors, raising a total of $615.
If you would like to contribute to the cause and show solidarity with the Patels, you can donate here https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/support-for-the-owners-of-joytis-dairy-following
Another customer present at the shop also suffered injuries during the incident. The assailants swiftly fled the scene after stealing cash and tobacco.
Recalling her ordeal, Bhavna told The Indian Weekender, "One man ran behind the counter and started threatening me with the hammer, and following the same, I activated the fog cannon.
“I triggered the fog cannon, and it was then that the second man started hitting my head with a hammer. I put up my hand to save my head. I could have died had the hammer hit my skull at a sensitive place. I'm lucky to be alive."
This senseless act of violence has sparked outrage within the community, with locals expressing shock and condemnation over such a heinous act.
Residents of Mt Roskill and Sandringham have united to support Bhavna and her husband, Jayanti Patel, who owns Jyotis Dairy.
Katy Rosser, a community member residing just a few hundred meters away from the dairy shop, took part in establishing the Givealittle page.
The goal is to raise funds that will assist the Patels in covering mortgage and living expenses during this challenging period.
"I frequently visit Jyotis Dairy with my husband and two-year-old, and the owners are lovely and hardworking, as many dairy owners in our country are," Rosser said.
"I spoke to Jayanti this morning, and the shop is open. He seemed a bit shaken but said he was doing okay. He'll be looking after the shop and supporting his wife through recovery.
“To help alleviate some of the pressure, if they want to close a bit earlier and take some rest, we've set up a Givealittle page. I urge everyone to contribute as much as they can.”