Please can you help me?
30 December, 2025 – 1:06 pmLast year my landlady asked me if I would like to buy my shop, there is a flat upstairs that I could live in. At the moment I am staying with my Mum.
This would make my idea to get involved in the training of the next generation of stonemasons one step closer to happening, as you know I already have small groups visit my shop to do activities and I go to outside event to run my stone carving activities.
I have a lot of interesting commissions on the go at the moment and these keep me busy and make sure my business keeps going.
Last December, I started to get everything lined up and ready, I have my deposit and a loan and I filled out paperwork for my solicitor, but sadly Penny, my landlady took ill and died before our solicitors started communications..
Her husband George has dementia, what she asked me for, took into consideration his care.
The property was valued in November 2025, and is £115,000 over what Penny asked me for, but obviously George’s health must be taken care of now.
I need to raise a large sum of money to be able to buy the shop and put into place what I have planned.
I currently have an 8mth commission list, one is to carve a portrait and will take me roughly 4 months.
I love being back in Sandwich, people see my shop, come in and alot of them come back to commission or buy something. I support charitable trusts with the sale of some of my creations, so having a shop front is important for me but also for others. I also love to talk to people to explain to them about, my projects, the types of stone, places to visit and other things to see in the area,
I understand if you are asking why should you help me?
If you know me and have talked to me, then I hope that you understand me.
I’m not just a business, I have the opportunity and the ability to help, even if it’s just putting a poster up, offering a raffle prize or just being a tourist attraction.
I am another business in Sandwich, I offer a unique shopping experience, helping to make Sandwich interesting and if we have interesting shops, not just a selection of chains, then people will want to visit us and keep our town vibrant.
The money I raise will help me buy and restore this 130 year old building, continue to carve my sculptures, creations and commissions and get involved in training and helping the community.
Here is the link to my crowdfunder page, please can you pledge whatever you can afford.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/buyrestorecatseyecarving
I appreciate that everyone is struggling at the moment, so I fully understand if you can’t help.
I have put the link on my instagram and Facebook page, Cat’s Eye Carving, and the Facebook page I run called Shopping in Sandwich.
Thank you and Happy New Year.
Carrie.
