Villagers have rallied to support the owner of their local shop after a break-in – launching a fundraising bid for beefed-up security and quickly topping £500.
So many people turned up to help in the clear-up of Cowbit Village Store after up to £1,000 of cigarettes and alcohol was stolen that owner Colin Foxwell had to turn some away.
Shop worker Dawn Hook said: “The villagers are amazing. They are always really supportive and have really pulled together.
“Colin works so hard for the shop and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for the village.
“I’ve worked in retail all my life but never known a shop like this. It’s run with very traditional values.”
Less than 24 hours after the break-in, which happened at around 8pm on Sunday, villagers had launched a page on crowdfunding site Go Fund Me to raise £3,000 for security shutters (www.gofundme.com/secure-our-village-store) and insisted Colin allow them to place a collection box in store.
Now fundraising events are being organised by groups across the village including St Mary’s Primary School and Cowbit Tiny Tots parent and toddler group – causes which Colin is quick to support when they are looking for raffle prizes or other assistance.
Villager Charlotte Hattrell said: “He’s just an amazing shopkeeper who goes above and beyond to ensure all his customers needs are met.
“He’s not only fantastic with all the children in the village who all adore him but also the dogs, who queue up for their daily treat! He’ll even take groceries out to the elderly.
“Colin is the heart of our village and as a community we will all do what is necessary to support him.”
Colin took over the Cowbit shop almost five years ago, leaving behind a newsagent’s in Essex which was broken into repeatedly.
He said: “I have never come across a community like this. It is flabbergasting. I’m well and truly taken aback.”
Fundraising events planned at the village hall include a car boot sale on Sunday (10am to noon); a coffee morning next Wednesday (9.30am onwards); and a disco and karaoke on Saturday, March 11.
Witnesses to the break-in should call 101, quoting incident 387 of February 19.
