A crowdfunding campaign in aid of a south-east London charity café which was ransacked by callous thieves has reached its target in just four days.
The Ten Thousand Hands Café in Ladywell Fields, Lewisham, was set up in memory of murdered schoolboy Jimmy Mizen in 2014.
Run by Jimmy’s brother Tommy, the cafe has been used to train young people including those with autism and provide a community facility.
But on Sunday around £6,000 worth of equipment was stolen, including a coffee machine and a panini maker, after burglars forced their way.
A crowdfunding campaign was launched by family member Sophie Davies to raise enough money to replace the items and in less than a week £6,500 has already been raised by generous supporters.
Jimmy died in 2008 after teenager Jake Fahri hurled a glass dish at him in a bakery in Lee Green following a trivial row. A shard cut his throat and he bled to death.
Since Fahri’s conviction in 2009, Jimmy's parents Margaret and Barry Mizen have been campaigning to end violence in the capital through the Jimmy Mizen Foundation.
A statement posted by Ms Davies on the JustGiving site reads: “We've done it!! £6,000!! Thank you so much.
"Had a lovely chat with Barry earlier and he told me what the donations mean to the family and the burden we have taken away from them in terms of having to find money to replace the items.
“He also explained that a little more money would be needed for extra security for the cafe to ensure it hopefully doesn't happen again.
“That's why I'm going to keep the page running to see if we can get this extra money for cafe security."
"Please continue to share Merry Christmas to every one of you,” she added.
The Jimmy Mizen charity, For Jimmy, also runs the successful Cafe of Good Hope in Hither Green.
