A kind-hearted Andover resident has set up a fundraiser to help a man left fighting for his life after a shocking assault outside a supermarket this week.
The 62-year-old man was left with head injuries after the attack on Thursday night outside the Tesco Extra store on River Way.
Four people have been arrested, including a 27-year-old man on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent.
Now, one kind-hearted Andover resident has set up a Go Fund Me page to try and help support the victim, who works at Tesco, as he makes his recovery.
Kerry Cole, who lives in Augusta Park, said that she was shocked when she heard the news of the assault.
"I felt so awful for him," she told The Advertiser. "No one should have to go to work and get attacked.
"For someone of that age to be attacked by someone half his age, he had no chance to defend himself.
"You just don't think this sort of thing would happen, especially when you are out doing your job.
"I was always brought up to respect my elders. He had no chance of defending himself and it was awful to hear.
"I just wish him a speedy recovery and that his family is okay."
The 36-year-old, who was born and raised in the town, decided to take matters into her own hands, by setting up a Go Fund Me page to try and raise something to give to the family.
She continued: "I was hoping to raise £150 but it is almost at that target already.
"Every little helps so I hope they can put it towards his recovery."
Her fundraising page reads: "After reading about this awful attack that happened on an innocent 62-year-old man, in the course of trying to do his job was brutally attacked causing awful life threatening injuries, I would like to raise £150 to help support this poor man and his family during this awful time and let him know as a loving town of Andover we can come together as a community and support each other and help this poor man in his time of need."
You can visit the page and donate here.
Four people were arrested in connection with the incident, which happened at around 9.20pm on Thursday outside the Tesco store on River Way.
A 27-year-old man from Andover was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent, while an 18-year-old man, a 28-year-old man, and a 36-year-old woman, all from Andover, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
The Advertiser has contacted Hampshire Constabulary for the latest update on the investigation.
The 62-year-old man, who worked at the store, was rushed to hospital with life threatening head injuries, where he remains.
Kit Malthouse, Andover’s MP, reassured the community following the incident, telling the Advertiser: "This is a horrific incident which will have shocked many across Andover, not least those who sadly witnessed it.
“I have been briefed this afternoon by Chief Inspector Thorne at Andover Police Station and I am grateful to him and his team for acting so quickly, both in response to this incident and then on the subsequent investigation.
“All our thoughts are with the victim and his loved ones."
Meanwhile, St. Mary’s ward councillors on Test Valley Borough Council have also expressed their sympathies for the victim and his family, with Councillor Iris Andersen telling the Advertiser: "I was shocked to hear of this incident, and my thoughts are with the poor family and what they must be going through."
Cllr Jan Budzynski, who was newly elected to the ward in May’s local elections, added: “I believe that the use of violence is abhorrent and I hope the injured man makes a full recovery, my thoughts go to his family.”
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