SELFLESS Shuttle readers up and down the country moved by Louisa Sewell stealing a four pack of Mars bars to feed herself after her benefits were stopped have raised £15,298 in seven days – and the amount still grows.

A crowdfunding campaign set up was originally looking to help the 32-year-old, of Comberton Road, Kidderminster, pay her court fines after she pleaded guilty to the theft a Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 6, plus a little bit more by raising £500, but it seems more than a few people also wanted to help.

Reverend Stuart Campbell, of Bath, saw the plight of Sewell and set up the campaign on Indiegogo, comparing her case, that she was fined more than 438 times the price of the 75p Mars bars she stole (£328.75) with the addition of compulsory criminal court charges and prosecution costs, against that of 25-year-old Edward Drew – a wealthy and privileged investment banker, of Wandsworth, who escaped jail after angrily glassing two people in a nightclub because the judge feared a prison sentence would damage his career.

“We can’t fix every injustice in the hideous, heartless society the UK has become,” Rev Campbell said. “We’re a Scottish website and the woman in question doesn’t even live in Scotland. But there are no borders on solidarity, and for some reason this case hit us as a particularly sickening one. We can do something, even if it’s only a gesture. £500 is the lowest target Indiegogo allow, but it’ll pay the woman’s fine and court costs, and a little more to help her out.”

He said any extra money would be donated to Scottish food bank and poverty charities, including First Base in Dumfries which is currently facing a funding crisis.

But it wasn’t just Rev Campbell who the case moved.

Several other people got in touch with The Shuttle to donate money and find a fundraising campaign including one far off reader from Switzerland.

After also reading about Sewell’s situation in The Shuttle, Wyre Forest District Councillor Nigel Knowles said he was outraged at the decision of the court and offered his help to her and anyone else in the same position.

“It’s outrageous because the government is punishing people on low or no income, and that’s outrageous,” he said.

“She should have been signposted to somewhere to get help – local councillors could have helped her, I could have helped her.

“There are funds for people in her position.

“People in Miss Sewell’s position need to know it’s not the end of the system for them if they have their benefits cut or sanctioned because they can have a review and she needed an advocate that could have spoken for her, like myself, to have her benefits reinstated or help her access other funds - and I make that offer to anyone who need it.

“I am very grateful The Shuttle ran the story and people responded the way they did. The magistrate was far too severe.”

For anyone wishing to donate to the fundraising campaign, visit indiegogo.com/projects/a-small-gesture-of-solidarity#/story.