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Charles needs a cold-storage unit to reopen a small grocery stall

Charles has run a small grocery stall for twelve years; a storm that collapsed the roof destroyed the equipment, and $2,150 will put it back on its feet.

🇬🇧 Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom2,632 views
Charles M. May
Email verified
Belfast
For twelve years I have run a small grocery stall in Belfast. In May, a storm that collapsed the roof took a cold-storage unit. I have no insurance, and the bank won't lend to me. Before that, my customers came every Thursday, and I employed 3 people from the neighborhood. I have been out of business for 5 weeks. This business pays my children's school fees and rent. I have already started working from home in small ways, but I can't meet orders without proper equipment. Every contribution brings me closer to reopening, and I promise to post photos as I buy each item. I'll buy equipment from local suppliers and post photos and receipts as I go. Where the $2,150 goes: • Replacing a cold-storage unit: $790 • Initial stock: fresh produce: $480 • Shop repairs and licensing: $460 • Working capital for the first month: $420 Thanks for being kind about this. - Charles
#small-business#livelihood#restart

Updates from Charles

  1. Thank you all. We're at 68% now ($1,470). I'm honestly stunned. we've booked the dates and paid the deposit.

  2. Quick update: $450 raised so far (21%). the first invoice got paid this week. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

  3. Good news. Because of your gifts ($375 in total) the plan for replacing a cold-storage unit is now scheduled. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Anonymous 🇹🇭 · $100

    “Be well. From Nakhon Ratchasima with love.”

  • Tammy W. Moreno 🇬🇧 · $20
  • Atim Njeri Nabwire 🇺🇬 · $12.50
  • Leo A. Pangilinan 🇵🇭 · $20
  • Vasanthi D. Chettiar 🇮🇳 · $50

    “Hope this helps. I'm in Thane, thinking of you.”

  • Sharon N. Rhodes 🇺🇸 · $50

    “Wishing you the best. - Aurora”

  • Anand S. Pandey 🇮🇳 · $10
  • Bengt Mattsson 🇸🇪 · $5
  • Majid Abdullah Farouk 🇪🇬 · $10

    “Blessings. Thought of Charles all day after reading this. - Cairo”

  • Courtney D. West 🇺🇸 · $20

    “Blessings. From Columbus with love.”

  • Anonymous 🇮🇳 · $55.50
  • Aarti F. Agarwal 🇮🇳 · $10
  • Laiba Farah Malik 🇵🇰 · $25
  • Sowmya R. Anand 🇮🇳 · $15
  • Josiah G. Watson 🇺🇸 · $25

    “Happy to help. Hope the October deadline works out. - San Diego”

  • Danielle K. Walker 🇺🇸 · $30

    “Hope this helps. Thought of Charles all day after reading this. - San Diego”

  • Teresa G. Ramírez 🇨🇴 · $11

    “Get well soon. This is from my last paycheck, glad to do it. - Bogotá”

  • Inbar Tamar Biton 🇮🇱 · $15

    “Hope you get the rest soon. - Haifa”

  • Diya P. Chaudhary 🇮🇳 · $75
  • Rowena P. Tomas 🇵🇭 · $20

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Questions & comments

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  • Zulkifli SutantoQuestionID verified

    can I help in a way that isn't money? I'm near Belfast.

    • Charles M. MayOwnerAnswer

      Thank you. If you're in Belfast I'll say if something practical comes up. For now sharing this is great. Let me know if you want more detail.

  • Wayne B. NicholsAddress verified

    Take care. Gave what I could, wish it was more. We're a small family in Jinja but we're thinking of you. Love from Jinja.

    • Peace Chidinma Afolabi

      you're not alone, Charles. Hope you get there. I went through something like this 5 years ago and strangers helped me out. God bless.

      • Feyza Irmak Şahin

        Hope it all works out, Charles. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. We're a small family in Ribeirão Preto but we're thinking of you. God bless.

        • Joyce G. WestPhoto verified

          wishing you the best. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. My neighbor in Manukau donated after I showed her your page.

          • Marie Charlotte LorenzPhoto verified

            good luck, Charles. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Put this on a community board in Venice this morning. Blessings.

            $1,954 raised of $2,150

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