Donations to cafe's earthquake appeal 'beyond a dream'

A café owner who helped raise more than £10,000 for victims of a devastating earthquake has described the support from the Maidenhead community as ‘beyond a dream’.

High Street bakery Bakedd launched a fundraising appeal last week to support those affected by the deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake on the Turkish-Syrian border.

Owner Emre Yilmaz, who grew up in the Turkish capital Ankara, said all proceeds of the company’s sales on Thursday, February 9 would go towards essential supplies for survivors of the natural disaster.

Members of the public gave generously and helped the artisan bakery raise more than £10,000.

Emre told the Advertiser: “When I first developed the idea I was dreaming of four or five thousand pounds.

“To manage £10,000 was incredible, it was beyond a dream.

“It really touches the heart because everyone who came in asked if we had any relatives affected.”

The café owner said he had first-time customers turning up to the store with one member of the public asking for £50 to be added to their bill after ordering a single coffee.

“It became a really big Maidenhead town event that everybody wanted to join. That’s how we managed to achieve that level of funds,” Emre said.

The money raised is being donated to the Turkish charity Ahbap which is working to provide temporary accommodation, including tents and shipping containers, to earthquake survivors.