Related: Shopkeeper beaten for charity tin
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A shopkeeper who was bashed for trying to defend his charity tin has been inundated with messages of support, flowers and even donations to help set up a security camera.
“Thanks to all the kindly people,” was ‘John’ Jianxin Huang response to the overwhelming community response.
Huang said people had been pouring into his store since hearing about what happened on Saturday afternoon, when he was thrown to the ground, punched and kicked in the head when he tried to prevent two thieves from making off with several hundred dollars of donations for a children’s charity.
He said locals had shown their support in a number of ways, including a group of women who put up Christmas decorations in the window of the owner of Eliades, his fish and chip store in California Gully
“It is so very kind and I feel very grateful, thank you, all of you and all of Bendigo,” he said.
Huang said that he was recovering physically as was his wife, ‘Ivy’ Aoi Li Huang, who was also struck in the fracas.
“She is still a little bit nervous,” he said.
“But she is doing much better to see all the kindly people come in.”
Huang said he would look to improve security but would continue to raise money for charity – and would defend the donation tin again in future.
“Yes, of course I would do it again if I had to,” he said.
“I would try to stop them, you have to stop people doing that.”
The charity money and Huang’s phone have been recovered after the two offenders were arrested and charged shortly after the robbery.
Both face eight charges each: three counts of recklessly causing injury, two of assault, one of theft of a mobile and one of theft of a charity tin. They were bailed by police and will appear before court on February 25.
The Bendigo Advertiser’s Facebook page received more than 100 messages of support for the Huangs.
Among them were the following:
“John and his wife are amazing people, they are honest and hardworking,” Anna Blake said.
“Get well soon Johnny and we will still be coming to get our fish and chips at Cal Gully,” Janice Quinn said.
“Such a nice man he is. I love chatting to him... Stay strong John and Ivy,” Michael Clarke said.
“John is wonderful! He gives us extra potato cakes and is so sweet,” Shannon Wallace said.
“One of the kindest guys I've met. Hope you are ok Johnny and sorry this has happened to you,” Britt Dennis said.
“John is a great bloke...gave me a cigarette lighter on credit haha,” Chris Holden said.