Independent bookstore that got a £5,000 gift from actor Russell Crowe expressed its “overwhelming” satisfaction at exceeding its goal for fundraising.
Norwich’s Bookbugs and Dragon Tales intended to earn £15,000 to expand their child outreach efforts and offer their business “breathing space.”
It has raised £19,740 thanks to Crowe’s “bonkers” donation, according to the organization. Leanne Fridd, the business owner, said it “totally blew my mind.”
The bookshop had to close during Covid lockdowns after it launched in 2019.
Although it was able to survive, the proprietors said that the cost of the living issue had a negative impact.
The goal of the campaign, which Ms. Fridd described as a “one-off attempt to ensure our future,” was to pay for six months’ worth of rent and costs while giving her time to apply for financing to send books to kids who might not have easy access to Norwich’s city center.
Within a few hours of the online fundraising campaign’s Thursday start, a donation was made in actor Russell Crowe’s honor.
As soon as the request was posted, Ms. Fridd claimed they were already taken aback by the volume of money they received.
“Russell Crowe just tipped everything over the edge. We were already in astonishment that people believed in us,” she remarked.
“His contribution to us was significantly more valuable than cash; by associating his name with our company, he raised our visibility.
And there is more we can do with every donation we receive.
Ms. Fridd noted that although they had not spoken to the actor directly, they had been able to exchange messages when the actor learned about the appeal on social media from a friend of a friend.
Crowe qualified for a customized gold loyalty card after making a donation of more than £500, which gave him access to a lifetime discount at the store.
She said,
“He said we should keep it and frame it.”
“He doesn’t need a lifelong 10% discount, I’m certain of it.
But who knows? If he happens to be in Norwich one day, he might drop by and meet us, but if he did, we might go crazy.
The BBC has gotten in touch with Crowe’s agents for a response.
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