Honiton: Smileys Café' staff and customers raise £400 for Ukraine

Last week Nub News reported on Sue Nicholson and her efforts to help the people of Ukraine. Through her generosity, and that of her staff and customers, Sue has managed to raise an incredible £400!

Sue is the owner of Smileys Café in Honiton. The café is located in the truck park just off the A30, and Sue often serves Ukrainian drivers as they pass though Devon.

Last week, Sue announced that any Ukrainian truck drivers who visit the café would be served free food and drink.

She told Nub News: "I do not have links to the country [Ukraine] but I get a lot of European drivers in, and I want to help.

"The Ukrainian drivers, some speak good English and some don't, so we show them the bacon and egg and they nod and we smile and it can be a good bit of banter.

"But this is me being me, I live to help and make someone happy, I have always been the same.

"I am just a wife, mum and nan and I care about people, and try to make the world a better place."

Since announcing her offer of free food and drink, Sue has featured on BBC Spotlight, Heart Radio, BBC Radio Devon – to name just a few!

Over the course of the week Sue has received some generous donations from customers who have handed over envelopes of cash to support her efforts.

Sue told Nub News: "One couple donated £50 in an envelope, and £40 came from two other donations given at the hatch, dropped in by two different ladies.

"We didn't expect that at all - such kindness!

"It gives me a good feeling inside and you feel happy that people pull together in a crisis."

Sue topped up the £90 received in the donations to £150, and then on Saturday she donated all tea and coffee money that she earned in the café to the fund. This came to a total of £300, which Sue and her colleagues, Ruth and Karen, generously topped up to £400.

Sue has decided to donate the £400 to the Disaster Emergency Committee. This is a British charity that works with the UK's 15 leading aid charities to raise money quickly and effectively for overseas emergencies.

You can donate to the DEC here