When Nelson woman Angela Herbert was knocked off her bicycle at a busy city roundabout last month, she was left with serious injuries and months of recovery ahead.
But while she heals in hospital, support has been pouring in from people she barely knows – including a local bar owner.
Angela, who also rides a motorbike and is part of the Tribal Nations Motorcycle Club, has been in hospital since she was struck by a van at the Vanguard St/Hardy St roundabout on 8 February while cycling home from the gym.
The van failed to give way at the roundabout and knocked her from her bike. The next thing she remembers after the impact is screaming in pain.
Her bike escaped relatively lightly damaged, but she suffered six fractures to her pelvis.
“Four on the left, two on the right,” she says.
Doctors estimate it will take about six months before Angela can walk again, and she expects to stay in hospital for a few more months. Further scans in the coming weeks will determine whether surgery is needed.
In the meantime, unexpected community support has helped her through the early stages of recovery.
One of those stepping up is Gerry Taitua, who owns Iconic Bar and Grill on Bridge St and several mobile coffee vans.
Angela says she had only met him a handful of times before the crash, yet he has been a “pillar of support”.
She attended Iconic’s opening in December and had also seen him at a few Tribal Nations rides where he was selling coffee.
“He’s visited me and bought me food, treats and a Harley top… even though I ride a Ducati,” she quips.
On 19 February, Gerry organised a quiz night and raffle at Iconic to raise money for Angela, and he plans to continue hosting them every second Thursday.
So far about $1200 has been raised, with more raffle prizes still to be drawn.
“We still have about $2000 worth of stuff to raffle off,” Gerry says.
Gerry has also pledged to match the amount raised through the fundraisers, which he plans to present to her at the end of this week.
He says helping people in the community is simply part of who he is.
“It fills my cup… The Nelson community is where my heart is.”
Beyond fundraising, he is also organising pre-packaged meals with Fresh Bake for when Angela is able to go home.
Meanwhile, the driver involved in the crash has also been supporting Angela.
“He is feeding my cat and mowing my lawn, since I live on my own, and he is visiting me in hospital often,” she says.
The pair plan to work through the restorative justice programme together once she is well enough.
Before the crash, Angela led an active life.
She works remotely as a kaitiaki for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, mentoring tauira across the top of the South Island and the West Coast. She is also a distance runner who spends time on Nelson’s off-road trails.
For now, she says the support from Gerry, Tribal Nations and the wider community has helped carry her through a difficult time.
“I want to thank Gerry from the bottom of my heart; he is such a generous person and Nelson is such a wonderful community.”
