Cash pours in for Doncaster village food store ransacked by thieves

Cash has poured in to pay for repairs at a Doncaster village food and greengrocery ransacked by thieves.
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Raiders struck at Richard Laws’ Fruit and Food in Stainforth on Saturday night, stealing stock and trashing the premises, causing damage to fixtures and fittings as well as destroying food.

Now angry residents in the village have set up an online fundraising campaign to pay for repairs and replace stolen goods.

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Emily Maxfield, who has set up a JustGiving campaign, said: “This shop has been an essential business in the community for years.

Richard Laws' shop in Stainforth was trashed by thieves.Richard Laws' shop in Stainforth was trashed by thieves.
Richard Laws' shop in Stainforth was trashed by thieves.

“The past year has been difficult for all shops without any added stresses.

“Sadly the shop was broken into and the store was ransacked. There has been a lot of damage caused and theft of stock.

“Let's pull together as a community and show Richard some support and help the store get back up and running as soon as possible.”

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As well as pushing food off shelves, the raiders also threw eggs all over the premises as well as breaking lights, shutters, alarm systems and doors.

A post on the shop’s Laws of Thorne Facebook page said: “Can’t even begin to write how devastating this is, especially in a time like this.

“How anyone can have so little decency is absolutely mind blowing. The culprits even smashed eggs and tipped out food all over the floor.

“But we’ve honestly been blown away by the response of the community and the lovely comments we’ve received.

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“Richard is so thankful and touched, he really wasn’t expecting it at all. He hasn’t stopped going on how amazed he is by the power of Facebook.

“The shop is back up and running and we look forward to welcoming our customers back through our doors.”

Raiders struck at the shop in Church Road and anyone with information about the attack can contact South Yorkshire Police with details on 101.

The firm also has a floristry business in Finkle Street, Thorne.

Anyone wanting to donate to the JustGiving campaign, which has already raised more than £600 in just a matter of hours, can do so HERE