Friends have rallied behind Norwood hit-run victim Jeph Ko, raising more than $9000 for the popular Pirie St cafe worker
FRIENDS have rallied behind Norwood hit-and-run victim Jeph Ko, raising more than $9000 to get him a new laptop and pay for medical expenses.
FRIENDS have rallied behind Norwood hit-and-run victim Jeph Ko, raising more than $9000 to get him a new laptop and pay for medical expenses.
Mr Ko, 33, was sitting outside at Manto Cafe, at the corner of The Parade and George St, when a van stopped near him and a man jumped out and allegeldy snatched his laptop about 5.45pm on Sunday.
The regular cafe patron tried to get his laptop back but was struck by the van and dragged up to 40m along George St.
Mr Ko — who worked at BTS Cafe on Pirie St — was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital and has remained in a serious condition for the past five days.
Kylie Scott helped set up an online fundraising page as Mr Ko was a popular part of “the Pirie St community”.
“We set up the Go Fund Me to try and raise some funds hoping, at least, to get him a new laptop,” she told The Advertiser.
“It’s certainly gone a lot further than that now, which is fantastic.
“Jeph has received so much support which I think is a testament to the caring, fun-natured person he is.
“He has a long road to recovery ahead of him, but he still has his sense of humour and everyone can’t wait to see him back at BTS.”
Mr Ko has lived in Australia for the past 15 years but has no family here so his friends have been supporting him in his recovery.
He became an Australian citizen last year.
Friend and former housemate James Barry said Mr Ko enjoyed photography, music and writing.
“He has actually been learning to write fiction in his second language which is frankly amazing,” he said.
“He is also one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, with an amazing and witty sense of humour. “He’s a bit of a romantic, who always see’s the best in people, so for anyone to have done him harm is shocking to anyone who knows him.
“All of his friends are very worried for him and wishing him the very best.
“These donations and outpourings of support have been fantastic as it means his rent and bills can be paid while he is in hospital and can also go towards helping him in what will likely be a lengthy recovery.”
His employer, BTS Cafe, has thrown its support behind Mr Ko, wishing him well on its Facebook page.
“We have a lot of love for Jeph and given the concern shown by our customers who are our extended BTS family, he is a well-loved person in our Pirie Street community,” the post said.
“We know he would appreciate your care and concern.”