An appeal for two men who were injured when a car mounted the pavement in Golders Green before crashing into a pharmacy, has raised £6,000, but “much more is needed,” according to organisers.
Jack Bendahan, who works at the Kosher Deli food store, set up the appeal after hearing abour the incident in the North-West London suburb last month.
Two Jewish men aged 45 and 80, were rushed to hospital after being hit by the car.
Mr Bendahan said the two victims would be in desperate need of support once they were discharged from hospital.
“Thank God they are recovering, but they were both badly hit. It was awful. One of them was thrown on the top of the car and the other one went underneath it,” he said.
The 80-year-old was crushed under the car and suffered serious injuries, while the other victim was thrown onto the bonnet of the vehicle.
Mr Bendahan said: “The 80-year-old man was in intensive care for a while but now he is out and in recovery. When he is allowed home he won’t be able to go up and down the stairs and the same goes for the other victim.
“They will need beds downstairs in their homes and help getting to and from hospital appointments.
“The NHS will help a bit, but not to the extent that they will need. The accident has completely changed what they are able to do independently.”
He urged the community “to donate whatever they can” to help to buy the victims’ equipment, such as wheelchairs and medical beds, to assist recovery at home.
Mr Bendahan said: “I visit them both every day and they are doing really well. They are so pleased the community wants them to get better and that people have donated money to help them.
“As a community we support each other and this is one of those moments.”
The male driver of the car stopped at the scene and assisted officers. He was not arrested.
Detectives are appealing for anyone with footage of the incident to contact them.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We understand there is a lot of footage of the incident in circulation and would request that anyone in possession of such footage; who witnessed the incident; or has any information which could assist contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Alperton on 020 8991 9555."