A kind couple donated $750 to Mr Patole's business. Picture: Facebook/The Timbuktu Cafe
A kind couple donated $750 to Mr Patole's business. Picture: Facebook/The Timbuktu Cafe
A Melbourne cafe owner who has been struggling during the coronavirus pandemic has been left "lost for words" by a stranger's kind act.
Pierre Patole, who owns The Timbuktu Cafe in Brighton East, took to Facebook to share the contents of an envelope that had been placed under the cafe's door.
Inside was an A$750 ($798.20) cash donation along with a note that explained the money was from an elderly couple who had recently received the Federal Government's Economic Support Payment and wanted to donate it to Patole's business.
The sender explained the couple had an income of less than A$80,000 a year, which meant they qualified for the money – adding they pay no tax because their income is from their superannuation.
The sender finished by saying: "We hope this helps in a small way."
Patole wrote on Facebook that he was "lost for words" at the touching anonymous gesture, sparking a huge outpouring of praise for the mystery couple.
"That is amazing! Love hearing about these kinds of stories," one person wrote.
"OMG Pierre. Isn't this just beautiful!? What a lovely soul. Well deserved," another said.
"This bought a tear to my eye, this is such an amazing and selfless gesture. Bless them," one person added.
Patole said the kind gesture made him feel more positive, knowing that locals want his business to survive the economic downfall caused by Covid-19.
The Timbuktu Cafe in Brighton East, Melbourne. Photo / Facebook/The Timbuktu Cafe
"I was very touched, not only for the amount of money but also by the beautiful letter. It felt so supportive and brings confidence in not giving up," Patole told news.com.au.
"As all cafes, we are doing take away only for both food and beverage, so we are roughly down 60 to 50 per cent less takings."
He added he had only just opened the cafe four months before the virus hit, and the gesture made him feel so welcomed.
"The local community here is just wonderful, so many of the neighbours come on a regular basis to chat and buy a coffee," he said.
Around 6.5 million Australians will receive the A$750 Economic Support Payment, which was revealed under the Government's A$17.6 billion coronavirus stimulus package in mid-March.
