Herald Express (Newton & Teign Edition)
Even staff’s biscuits swiped in break-in at bay charity shop
ABAY businessman has come to the rescue after a Torquay charity shop was broken into. During the raid the robber even swiped a packet of the staff’s favourite biscuits.
Sally Hughes, the manager of Barnardo’s charity shop on Roundhill Road in Livermead, arrived for work on March 10 to find the store had been ransacked.
There was damage to the doors, the safe was missing, cash had been taken, as well as a packet of chocolate digestives.
“It was very upsetting,” Ms Hughes said. “We’ve had to have the damage repaired, the locks changed and a new safe.
“The money raised by the shop goes to support Barnardo’s services for children and families who really need help, so having something like this happen is doubly distressing.”
Locals have rallied around the shop, with many dropping off packets of the beloved chocolate digestives to show their support.
Ms Hughes said: “The community has been wonderful.
“We’ve had people coming in and hugging us and when I mentioned that our staff’s favourite biscuits had disappeared too, we were inundated with replacements, including a packet from our window cleaner.
“Co-op is a Barnardo’s charity partner and the staff at the branch next door to us have been brilliant, coming in to find out how they could help us out while we got over the break-in. People really have been so lovely, and we are grateful to all of them.”
Director of local business Torbay Clearance Services Simon Crawshay has also stepped in to help, donating £1,000 to cover the cost of the damage to the store. He had overheard staff at the Co-op next door talking about the break-in.
Sally said: “A gentleman came in and said he had been in our next door Co-op and had heard staff talking about the break-in.
“He chatted to us about what had happened, and I couldn’t believe it when he came in the next day with a cheque for £1,000 to cover the costs.”
Mr Crawshay said: “I heard about the break-in when I was in Co-op and called in to see Sally to find out how we could help.
“Giving opportunity is a core business value for us and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to right a wrong. We were very happy to help.”
It’s thought that the store was broken into between closing time on Saturday, March 9 and the morning of Sunday, March 10.
Barnardo’s has asked anyone with information that could assist with an investigation to contact the police.