Kinnerley Teenager Helps Shop Staff Recover Stolen Christmas Dinner Funds

Ethan, a 13-year-old resident of Kinnerley, Shropshire, has garnered attention for his efforts to help local shop employees. He initiated a fundraising drive to ensure the staff could still have their Christmas dinner following a November burglary. The workers had accumulated £380 from their lottery winnings throughout the year for this specific meal, but the entire sum was stolen during the incident. Expressing disbelief upon learning of the event, Ethan reached out to his family, friends, and neighbours, seeking their assistance to recover the stolen money. Ethan stated: “I heard about [the burglary] in school and thought ‘no way it’s been robbed’. So I went on my mum’s phone and put the message out to loads of local people and they put amounts of money in and altogether we raised £110.” The remaining amount was provided by shop owner Adam Smith. Regarding the break-in, Manager Wendy Ellis commented: “They took all the cigarettes and some alcohol as well. They couldn’t get into the safe, so they pulled it off the wall and took that too.” She further remarked: “Ethan did a lovely thing and raised some money for us to enjoy our night out, which is going to be lovely. “It was quite emotional really – we knew people liked the shop, but it was lovely to think the younger generation cares too.”” Zoe, Ethan’s mother, expressed her sentiments: “I’m incredibly proud. Teenagers get such a bad name. When he told me about the shop and told me his idea, I thought it was wonderful. “Everyone was super generous. It’s a small village and it was lovely everyone came together to support the shop.”” The staff members are scheduled to have their Christmas meal at the Three Pigeons in Nesscliffe on December 18, where they intend to raise a toast to Ethan.