Elvers owner in Nelson Street, Stroud, speaks out after burglary

Tristina Davis, who went through gruelling chemotherapy and radiotherapy following her diagnosis in 2018, described the raid at the Elvers jewellery shop in Nelson Street, Stroud as a 'real kick in the teeth'.

A laptop and jewellery were taken while a large amount of stock was trashed earlier this month.

“The burglary has been a real kick in the teeth and come at a horrendous time," said Ms Davis, 46, who is also known as Star.

“I'm really upset and disappointed after surviving a really tough winter of poor sales due to the weather and roadworks in Nelson Street.

“I have only just kept my head above water.

“It's kept me awake at night with worry and increased my anxiety in general.

“The cost of living crisis is affecting both my personal life and my business.”

Elvers was first burgled in 2017 soon after opening.

Since 2018, Ms Davis has had surgery to remove the tumour, six months of chemotherapy and a further 20 treatments of radiotherapy.

"I was devastated and thought I would die young and leave my husband and son to cope alone," she said.

"I have my fingers crossed that the treatment worked - I'm currently what they call NED or no evidence of disease.

"I still have to check frequently as the type of breast cancer I had was quite a rare one and has a higher percentage of reoccurance."

All her design work for the last four years, including photos of stock and handmade creations, was stored on the laptop.

“I'm gutted about the work I have lost which will take me ages to redo,” she said.

Ms Davis’ sister Alanna has set up a fundraiser to pay for the damage and to replace the laptop.

“My wonderful sister has fought to keep her business going through Covid and a battle with breast cancer when she would still walk up to open her shop and chat with customers while still in treatment,” said Alanna.

“Sometimes bad things happen to good people.

“But if anyone can help even in some small way to donate something towards Star’s costs to repair the damage and replace her laptop she might just regain some of her faith in humanity and her small business might just fight to survive another day.”

Ms Davis has spoken of her gratitude to those who have donated or have been kind to her since this incident.

“I have been blown away by the support I've had from friends and family, especially my sister who created the fundraising page,” said Ms Davis, who is originally from Hounslow but moved to the Stroud area to bring up her son, who is now 13.

Following her cancer diagnosis, in which Ms Davis lost business during a four month period, the Covid lockdown hit, before roadworks in Nelson Street left Star 'an inch away from giving up.'

“This was my dream after working in a dry cleaners for 12 years," she said.

“I gave it up to risk being self-employed.

“Without everyone’s help, this latest incident would have probably been the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

One of the people who donated wrote: "Dear Star - you have been through some tough stuff and come through stronger. This is horrible but you're a very brave lady and you'll be back."

Donate to the appeal at bit.ly/3YT8YQY