A SHOPKEEPER who was injured in an incident at his Bradford shop has been given an anonymous gift of £1,000.
A kind-hearted woman was moved to make the donation after reading about the plight of 58-year-old Mohammed Riaz in the Telegraph & Argus.
Mr Riaz, owner of the Meat Hut, in Little Horton Lane, suffered a suspected broken jaw, five loosened teeth, and cuts and bruising to his head, face and body in the incident at his store, on the afternoon of Sunday, July 10.
But he was determinedly back behind his counter the next day so as not to let down his customers at Eid.
His own family were facing a ruined Eid after £3,000 was allegedly taken in the incident.
But donations of money, as well as card and flowers, have poured in for the popular shopkeeper, including the £1,000 gift.
The family revealed they had received a letter from the woman, known only as Jane, addressed to Mr Riaz.
It read: “I was so sorry to read in the Telegraph and Argus of the attack on your shop. I am a Christian, and Jesus Christ taught that when we see someone in trouble we should not walk by without helping.”
With the letter was a cheque for £1,000. The woman, who is thought to be from Idle, Bradford, added: “Please accept this to contribute to your Eid celebrations.”
Mr Riaz’s nephew, Gulnawaz Hussain, said the anonymous donor’s kindness had touched the hearts of all the family.
He said: “My uncle was so moved, he was in tears.
“This lady had never been in the shop, we had no idea who she was.
“There are a lot of bad things happening in the world, but the kindness and generosity of this lady shows that there are still many good people as well.
“It is not as though it was just a few pounds. A thousand pounds is a lot of money. We are so grateful to her and would love to be able to thank her.”
Mr Hussain said wellwishers, including other shop owners and schoolchildren and teaching staff, were still sending cards, flowers and money. He added: “We have even had children coming in the shop with a couple of pounds in their hands to give in. It’s been overwhelming.
“My uncle is still not back to normal, but people’s support has helped him.”
l A 24-year-old Bradford man has appeared before magistrates after being charged with robbery.
Leonard Brown, of Tamar Street, Canterbury, is due to appear at Bradford Crown Court next month.
A second man, aged 20, was arrested on suspicion of robbery and released on police bail pending further inquiries.
Police are still hunting a third suspect.
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