Neighbours rally round to support grocer whose livelihood was torched

Looted Hackney shopkeeper Shiva Kandiah was today given a lifeline by friends, neighbours and Evening Standard readers who contributed to an emergency fund for him.

Mr Kandiah, 39, saw his livelihood wrecked when rioters torched his grocery store after stealing stock worth £10,000.

A website appeal had raised £5,000 today, less than 12 hours after being set up, while the Standard has been inundated with offers of support for the married father of two young daughters.

Rowland Barran, 36, who works in PR and is from north London, said: "What happened to him is just so unfair and I want to give him some money.

"That shopkeeper probably wasn't that much further up on the economic ladder than some of the people ransacking his store."

Mohi Uddin, of solicitors Mira Mar Legal in Hackney, said: "He's got a family but he's got nothing left. One of the partners read about him in the Standard and said, 'We've got to do something to help these people.'

"Mr Kandiah can make a claim under the Riot Damages Act but he has to do it within 14 days so time is ticking. We want to give him advice, and we would do that free."

One of the appeal organisers, local artist Sarah Pletts, said: "Shiva has been part of our lives for 11 years. He is a little businessman who is there for little people. Hackney is a diverse area with rich and poor and he treats everybody the same, always with a smile. It was heartbreaking to see him in tears. We cannot afford to lose him. He is an important member of our community." Travel writer Jane MacIntyre, who also helped organise the appeal, said: "He has seen the support and affection there is for him in this area and he knows he is not alone. It is good to see him smiling again." Mr Kandiah said: "I am grateful for everything people are doing. Their friendship has been so important to me. I do not have the words to describe how wonderful these people are. I am going to start my business again. It will take some time, but I will reopen."