A community has come together to help raise money for a café and performing arts academy after equipment was stolen over the weekend.
Happy Hedgehog Café and Delta Academy of Dance and Performing Arts, in the same unit in Queensway, have had computers, recording equipment, and cash stolen from the building.
Apra Ames Robert, of the Happy Hedgehog café, had been away doing a trade show in Warwickshire on Saturday (November 12) when the building was broken into.
Significantly, a recording studio that was created in memory of Apra’s stepson and principal of the academy Dianne Hughes' son Bradley, who sadly died after a battle with mental health three years ago, was cleared of its equipment.
The recording studio where all the equipment has been stolen. The guitar was donated after the break-in (Image: Newsquest)
They had even taken a pair of irreplaceable headphones which had belonged to Bradley and were used by children who would remember him when they put them on.
The studio had originally cost £10,000 to set up and Apra described it as feeling as though they’d “lost him again”.
Both the academy and the café have worked hard to create a mental health space in the building, and Apra, along with Dianne, were raising money for a dementia garden.
In the café, 20% of money made goes towards dementia causes and the café holds a dementia club, where carers can come along and talk about any issues they may have and help them support a loved one with dementia.
The café and academy were given funding for the garden which could be used by the whole community. However, both organisations were working hard to raise more money, and that money has also been stolen.
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The café is nonfunded, so works hard to provide for the community and create a happy space.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by a friend of Apra’s which at the time of writing has raised over £400 for the café and academy.
Apra filmed a video on Facebook appealing for people to help and the local community has been donating cash and items to the cafe to sell.
Apra is touched by the community’s determination to help and said: “It’s been absolutely humbling and we are in the middle of Caia park, we have become an oasis for people.
“They haven’t ripped the heart out of us they’ve just made it difficult for us for the next year.”
New fire doors have been fitted for free by a friend, and someone else has fitted a new CCTV system.
She added: “I think the community is shocked by this and (I am) really overwhelmed. I cannot express how I feel, there are no thank yous in the world that can cover how people have been - it’s just been magnificent.”
If anyone wants to bring donations they can bring them to the café. A ‘big’ raffle will be held at William Aston Hall as Delta Academy holds Beauty and the Beast from Friday, December 16 until Sunday, December 18. The raffle will also be raising money to replace equipment.
In an update from Wrexham Town police officers, a spokesperson said: “Of concern over the weekend - a burglary was reported at Hedgehog Foods on the Queensway. Between 20:00 on Saturday and 10:26 on Sunday, unknown persons have pushed items up against the fence and gained entry taking a safe, computer tablet and cash from within.
“If you saw anything or know anything in relation to this, give us a call on 101 quoting 22000832673 or crimestopper”
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