Children turned out in fruit and veg costumes today to celebrate the life of a much-loved greengrocer from Hove.
Tony Magdi died last year at the age of 52 after he was attacked by a cyclist.
Local children turned out looking bananas – and dressed as grapes, cherries, strawberries and pineapples – to remember Tony Magdi, of Portland Road.
He was known for his generosity to his customers and his kindness to children, having lost his own two children to spinal muscular atrophy.
The Mayor of Brighton and Hove Councillor Anne Meadows unveiled an olive tree to commemorate Mr Magdi at the corner of Portland Road and Westbourne Gardens.
The tree is in a planter outside Mr Magdi’s shop and home and opposite the spot where he was attacked.
The planter was designed by local artist Lez Ingham and built by local trader Paul Soden.
The plaque has been provided by Tony’s close friends George Jeha and Liz Collis, from Canada, who have kept wellwishers up to date with a blog.
The memorial was paid for with donations from friends and former customers and organised by a steering committee of volunteers – neighbours, traders and councillors.
Mr Jeha was visiting Mr Magdi as they prepared to go on holiday last November when Mr Magdi was punched unconscious by a cyclist.
Mr Magdi, 52, was knocked out after a single punch and died in hospital three weeks later.
His killer, Paul Lambeth, 36, of Stafford Road, Brighton, was jailed for 18 months at Hove Crown Court earlier this month.
