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| Russell Crowe's £5,000 donation wows Norwich bookshop | Russell Crowe's £5,000 donation wows Norwich bookshop |
| (5 months later) | |
| Leanne Fridd said she and husband Dan "squealed" when they spotted Russell Crowe's name | Leanne Fridd said she and husband Dan "squealed" when they spotted Russell Crowe's name |
| An independent bookshop trying to secure its survival said it had received a "bonkers" £5,000 donation from film star Russell Crowe. | An independent bookshop trying to secure its survival said it had received a "bonkers" £5,000 donation from film star Russell Crowe. |
| Bookbugs and Dragon Tales in Norwich wants to raise £15,000 to give the business "breathing space" and to do more outreach work with children. | Bookbugs and Dragon Tales in Norwich wants to raise £15,000 to give the business "breathing space" and to do more outreach work with children. |
| Within hours of the online appeal launch, a donation appeared in the name of Gladiator star Crowe. | Within hours of the online appeal launch, a donation appeared in the name of Gladiator star Crowe. |
| "Each donation has been so incredibly affirming," said owner Leanne Fridd. | "Each donation has been so incredibly affirming," said owner Leanne Fridd. |
| She set up the appeal on Thursday and said she and husband Dan were "squealing" when they spotted the donation - made under the name Russell Ira Crowe - that night. | She set up the appeal on Thursday and said she and husband Dan were "squealing" when they spotted the donation - made under the name Russell Ira Crowe - that night. |
| Russell Crowe became a household name in 2000 with the release of Gladiator | Russell Crowe became a household name in 2000 with the release of Gladiator |
| "One of our daughters had to go to work early the next day, and she woke up to us chanting 'Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe'," she said. | "One of our daughters had to go to work early the next day, and she woke up to us chanting 'Russell Crowe, Russell Crowe'," she said. |
| "It's going to have a huge impact." | "It's going to have a huge impact." |
| The BBC has contacted Crowe's representatives for a comment. | The BBC has contacted Crowe's representatives for a comment. |
| The bookshop, which opened in 2019, was in its infancy as a business when it was forced to close during Covid lockdowns. | The bookshop, which opened in 2019, was in its infancy as a business when it was forced to close during Covid lockdowns. |
| It managed to stay afloat, but Mrs Fridd feared the cost of living crisis could become "the straw that broke the camel's back". | It managed to stay afloat, but Mrs Fridd feared the cost of living crisis could become "the straw that broke the camel's back". |
| Bookbugs and Dragon Tales specialises in children's books | Bookbugs and Dragon Tales specialises in children's books |
| The appeal, which she said she had been reluctant to make because of the financial struggle felt by many, aimed to cover bills and rent for six months. | The appeal, which she said she had been reluctant to make because of the financial struggle felt by many, aimed to cover bills and rent for six months. |
| It would also give the owners time to bid for grants and funding for their work to bring books to children who may not have easy access to Norwich city centre. | It would also give the owners time to bid for grants and funding for their work to bring books to children who may not have easy access to Norwich city centre. |
| 'A bit of sparkle' | 'A bit of sparkle' |
| Mrs Fridd added: "The last few hours has been people saying to us 'we get it, we know what you are trying to do'. | Mrs Fridd added: "The last few hours has been people saying to us 'we get it, we know what you are trying to do'. |
| "We've had £100 from the customer who lost her house in a fire - I know she can't afford that - we've had £5 from someone, because it's what they can afford. | "We've had £100 from the customer who lost her house in a fire - I know she can't afford that - we've had £5 from someone, because it's what they can afford. |
| "The comments... I've been in tears all day." | "The comments... I've been in tears all day." |
| It is believed the Oscar-winning star heard of the appeal via a friend of a friend of Mrs Fridd | It is believed the Oscar-winning star heard of the appeal via a friend of a friend of Mrs Fridd |
| She said she believed the actor had heard of the shop and the appeal on social media via a friend of a friend. | She said she believed the actor had heard of the shop and the appeal on social media via a friend of a friend. |
| "It's definitely, definitely him, 100%, we know the connection is there, and we had seen the person [who knows him] had retweeted it," added Mrs Fridd. | "It's definitely, definitely him, 100%, we know the connection is there, and we had seen the person [who knows him] had retweeted it," added Mrs Fridd. |
| "I have heard that this is what he is like - he is really supportive and just wants to make a difference. | "I have heard that this is what he is like - he is really supportive and just wants to make a difference. |
| "It's bonkers. | "It's bonkers. |
| "Every donation makes us really hopeful for the future and the message is really clear - we are valued - and to have a celebrity has added that bit of sparkle. | "Every donation makes us really hopeful for the future and the message is really clear - we are valued - and to have a celebrity has added that bit of sparkle. |
| "I doubt he will come into the shop, but who knows, if he is in the area in the future, he might." | "I doubt he will come into the shop, but who knows, if he is in the area in the future, he might." |
| Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk | Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk |
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| Uplifting stories | |
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