Leeds woman '˜had boiling water thrown in face' by homeless person in racist attack

Manjit Kaur, who runs a stall called Manjit’s Kitchen at Kirkgate Market, had boiling water thrown in her face and was subjected to xenophobic abuse during the attack by a rough sleeper in November.

She earned widespread praise after responding to the incident with a pledge to raise money in aid of Leeds-based homelessness charity Simon on the Streets.

Manjit proved as good as her word, organising a raffle over the Christmas period that generated nearly £6,000.

And on Thursday the charity will show its appreciation for her efforts when it presents her with a commemorative plaque in a ceremony at its offices on Armley Road.

Manjit, from Chapeltown, said today: “I’m humbled to be awarded the plaque commemorating the fundraising raffle that I ran over Christmas.

“I was determined to turn what was a horrible experience into something positive and I’m really pleased that we have been able to raise so much money that will be used to benefit the rough sleepers of the region.”

Manjit was attacked after a homeless woman approached her and asked for a cup of hot water as she was shutting up her stall at the end of a day’s trading.

Describing the incident, she said: “I boiled the kettle, gave it to her, and she threw it back in my face and told me to [go back] to my own country.”

Simon on the Streets general manager Gordon Laing said: “We’re delighted to be awarding the plaque to Manjit who has been instrumental in raising a lot of money that Simon on the Streets will use to help rough sleepers across Yorkshire.

“Manjit should be admired for what she has done for charity and we look forward to presenting her with the plaque as a show of our appreciation.”