A pub is fundraising to repatriate the body of a Polish barmaid who was stabbed to death in her own home.
Natalia Czekaj, 34, who moved to London 10 years ago, was found with multiple stab wounds at her home in Edgware on January 6. A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death as shock, haemorrhage and stab wounds.
The Alliance Pub, in West Hampstead, where she worked as a barmaid, is appealing to customers for donations to help her family fund the cost of returning her body back home.
It is understood her grieving mother, who is also a widow after her police officer husband was killed, cannot afford the costs of repatriating her body to Poland.
A statement on the pub’s Facebook page said: “You will, no doubt, have heard of the tragic and shocking death of our dear friend and beloved colleague, Natalia. We are all in a state of shock. She was a kind and caring person who will be greatly missed by us and we know by many of you.
“Her traumatised mother, who is already a widow is now faced with the burden of returning her beloved daughter to Poland. This is an expensive process that the grieving family can ill afford.
“Although we cannot ease their emotional pain and suffering, we can demonstrate our sympathy and compassion by easing the financial burden of this process.
“Let's show Natalia's family that we, as a community, sympathise with their tragic loss and stand beside them in their time of need. She was brave enough to try to make a life in our city and we should be generous enough to send her home with dignity.”
A special bank account named Natalia’s fund has been set up for donations and is being organised by two customers.
All of the money will be sent to her family in Poland and the pub said they will cover admin costs.
James Richardson, 34, of Berridge Green, Edgware, has been charged with murder and will appear at the Old Bailey on April 27.
Visit facebook.com/thealliancepub to make a donation.
