Turning lockdown lemons into lemonade: Sheffield street's weekly bun sale raises £3.5k for local charities

Saturday is now known as ‘cake day’ by the residents of Stanley Road in Meersbrook.
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A street bun stall, which they have organised and run weekly since lockdown began, has so far raised an incredible £3,500 for local charities.

What began as a one-off treat for the neighbours quickly gathered pace, and now around 20 bakers from across Meersbrook are contributing items to the weekly ‘socially distanced’ sale.

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“It started the first weekend of lockdown, which was my birthday,” says resident Cathy Buck, a retired nurse.

Sheffield street's weekly lockdown bun sale raises £3.5k for local charitiesSheffield street's weekly lockdown bun sale raises £3.5k for local charities
Sheffield street's weekly lockdown bun sale raises £3.5k for local charities

“I baked some buns and put them on a table outside my house, then sent a message out on the Stanley Road Whatsapp group to invite people to come and get one.

“Everyone came out, sang happy birthday, and it was really lovely.

“The next week rolled around and I decided to get baking again, and see if maybe I could raise some money this time, so I put out a bowl for donations.”

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Word spread fast, and now each Saturday sees a long queue form down Stanley Road, as people gather from across the district to collect their home-baked goodies.

Sarah Deakin and Cathy BuckSarah Deakin and Cathy Buck
Sarah Deakin and Cathy Buck

Cathy, aged 66, adds: “The first week we made £20, then £45, then £175, then £400, then £500 - it’s just grown and grown!

People all over the street, and Meersbrook, now get baking on a Friday, and when I wake up on Saturday there are baked goods stacked on my doorstep.”

And it’s fantastic selection - with buns and brownies, tarts and biscuits, and even a table of goods that are dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan friendly.

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Cathy says: “We have chalk marks on the pavement, so people wait in line, help themselves to what they want, and then leave an appropriate donation.

Sheffield street's weekly lockdown bun sale raises £3.5k for local charitiesSheffield street's weekly lockdown bun sale raises £3.5k for local charities
Sheffield street's weekly lockdown bun sale raises £3.5k for local charities

“People have been so generous; I’ve seen people take two buns and leave £20. I think they’re happy to be able to give something back at this strange time.”

Neighbour Sarah Deakin, who lives a few doors away from Cathy, came onboard to help early on, and now coordinates the donations, which are split between three local foodbanks, and a Sheffield charity called Baby Basics.

“The community spirit here is fantastic,” says Sarah, who next week is planning to add a book stall into the mix, to continue to help raise funds.

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“We moved here just over a year ago, and didn’t know many of the neighbours before lockdown began, and they’re all such wonderful people.

Sheffield street's weekly lockdown bun sale raises £3.5k for local charitiesSheffield street's weekly lockdown bun sale raises £3.5k for local charities
Sheffield street's weekly lockdown bun sale raises £3.5k for local charities

“I’m thrilled to have had the chance to get to know everyone so well, and I’m so proud of what we’re doing here.”

Cathy agrees: “It’s given us something to focus on, and provided a structure to the week, so it’s been great for us too, and it’s lovely to be able to do something to help.

“We’ll carry on as long as people keep coming.”

Cathy’s Socially Distanced Stanley Road Bun Stall runs each Saturday, from 11am to 1pm.

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