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Islanders have responded with generosity to an online fundraiser for the partner and infant child of a man who died tragically last week, with more than £4,000 raised within two days.
Pretesh Patel (33) died on Tuesday 28 November following a fall near his home in Westmount Road, with an inquest into his death being opened and adjourned yesterday.
Mr Patel, known as "Tesh", and his partner Rachel Peltor had a four-month-old daughter, Nayvi, and friends have sought to provide support to Ms Peltor in the wake of last week's events by setting up an online fundraising page.
The JustGiving page set up by friends attracted almost 100 donations within 48 hours of being established, reaching two-thirds of the way to its £6,000 target.
Damian Philpott, one of those involved in the JustGiving initiative, said the idea was to try and make a meaningful difference to his friend's partner and the couple's young child.
Pictured: The fundraising total at the time of writing.
"Tesh was a wonderful person, was not only a life partner to Rachel but also a loving father to Nayvi," he said. "Since I first met Tesh I've got to know him as a really genuine and nice guy, someone who was charming and didn't have a bad bone in his body.
"I haven't heard anyone say a single negative thing about Tesh – he was a lovely person and that's made it all the more shocking for those who are processing this news."
During a 10-minute hearing, held to enable Mr Patel's body to be released in order that his funeral could be arranged, the inquest heard that Mr Patel had been pronounced dead at Jersey General Hospital soon after his fall. A police spokesperson told the hearing the death was not being treated as suspicious.
Viscount Mark Harris adjourned the inquest pending the receipt of medical tests, and authorised the release of the body.
In an update posted on the JustGiving page yesterday afternoon, the organisers passed on Ms Peltor's thanks for the support from islanders.
Pictured: The inquest - which aims to establish how an islander came by their death, and if any lessons can be learned – opened at Morier House yesterday.
The update to supporters stated: "Rachel has been genuinely moved by the outpouring of support, which is evident in the kind words and generous gifts she has received.
"Your collective generosity has given Rachel the means to channel her focus towards her plans to remain in Jersey, where she can nurture and raise hers and Tesh’s daughter."
It continued: "The overwhelming love and solidarity displayed by the Jersey community have left a lasting impact on Rachel – not only have your words and gestures alleviated the immediate challenges she faces, but they have also become a source of strength, comfort and resilience for her that will help carry with her through these difficult times.
"Thank you for being a beacon of support and making a meaningful difference in Rachel's and Nayvi’s lives."
If you wish to donate, the fundraising page can be accessed here.
Pictured top: Pretesh Patel with his partner Rachel Peltor and the couple's four-month-old child Nayvi.
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