Leeds community rallies round supermarket raid victims by donating to crowdfunding appeal

Masked robbers hit one male employee over the head and then threatened his female colleague at knifepoint when they targeted Sainsbury’s Local in Pudsey on Friday night.

The three raiders left empty-handed after finding out that neither of the workers could open the safe at the store in Chapeltown Road.

Now local woman Elizabeth Edgington has set up an online appeal to raise £500 for the two victims as a show of community support.

She wrote: “The lovely staff at Sainsbury’s Pudsey were attacked in an attempted robbery on Friday. Bip was hit over the head with a hammer, and Heidi was held at knifepoint.

“The staff in Sainsbury’s are great. Bip is a friend to so many of us in Pudsey, always has a cheery word and makes our community a better place, and I can’t imagine how terrifying it was to be threatened with a knife...

"Let’s club together and give Bip and Heidi a present that they can use for a treat from us all.”

The online appeal has already raised almost £300.

John Tebbet, who was among those donating, said: “Well done! A good example of community goodwill.”

Julie Bootland said: “Thank you to Bip and Heidi for making our local shop so friendly. I’m glad you’re both OK.”

An anonymous donor wrote: “For the lovely staff in Sainsbury’s, who didn’t deserve that shocking attack. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.”

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the robbery, which happened at around 10.50pm.

Contact police on 101, quoting crime number 13180019969.