Fundraiser launched for independent bakery after raiders smashed into shop causing more than £1,000 worth of damage

Jennifer Crawford, 21 set up the fundraiser after her mam’s shop, The Sugar Pot, in Thomas Street, was broken into in the early hours of Tuesday, April 6.

An investigation was launched after offenders ransacked the bakery stealing around £50 from the till and caused more than £1,000 worth of damage.

Gemma Liddle, who owns the shop, shared pictures of the damage following an ‘awful’ year spent trying to keep the business going during the Covid pandemic.

Gemma’s daughter Jennifer said: “It’s upsetting to have to go through this when my mam has put her heart into the bakery and genuinely loves to bake and open up to customers weekly.

“The community support has been overwhelmingly positive and this only encourages us to open again as soon as possible – It really has taken some of the darkness out of the situation to know my mam has great people supporting her and rooting for her to pull through this."

The 21-year-old said the family have really appreciated all the kind comments and donations as the fundraiser has already raised £390 with a goal of raising £500 to help the bakery ‘get back on their feet.’

Jennifer added: “All money raised will be going towards replacing what was damaged and stolen by the thieves, such as the till, glass protective shields, stock that is now unusable and it will also contribute to installing a new CCTV system in the bakery.”

Owner Gemma said she was left “devastated” after the family were woken at 4am by the police following the break in.

A Force Spokesperson said: “Earlier today we received a report of a break in at a premises on Thomas Street, Sunderland.

“It was reported that at some point overnight, offenders have smashed a glass door to gain entry, before making an untidy search and making off with a quantity of cash.

“Enquiries are ongoing into this incident and anyone with information is asked to get in touch by calling 101 or using the Tell us Something page on our website, quoting log 56 06/04/21.”

You can donate to The Sugar Pot fundraiser here.

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