By John Baron
A fundraiser to thank the family quitting Calverley Stores – potentially leaving the village without a Post Office – has raised more than £1,700.
Last month’s announcement by Waheeda and Asaf Hussain came as hundreds of sub postmasters pursue claims for compensation following prosecutions and losses due to the flawed Horizon computer system. The scandal was highlighted at the beginning of the year by the ITV drama Mr Bates Versus the Post Office.
Waheeda and Asaf have run Calverley Stores since 2006 – and a fundraiser has been set up to support the family by Calverley resident Katie Coates.
On the online fundraiser, Katie said: “After the recent events that have come to light with everyone regarding the Post Office, I feel it is right we help Waheeda, Asaf and the boys.
“Waheeda and her family always bring a huge smile regardless of what’s going on behind closed doors! The upset this has caused our community is just horrific! Let’s all try and help Waheeda, Asaf and her family and pay back some of the awful times they have had over the past years of working at the Post Office!”
The crowdfunder is due to close this weekend and can be found here.
As previously reported by WLD, the couple tried to sell the shop and Post Office a couple of times, but there was no interest. In the end they have sold the shop, which will become a general store, leaving it to the Post Office to either find someone to run the sub Post Office or leave Calverley folk having to travel to Woodhall, Farsley or further away for services.
“It was an extremely dark and anxious period for all of us but particularly for Waheeda,” said Asaf last month.
The announcement led to hundreds of messages of support from customers in the village and further afield. All said how sad they are that the family was leaving, but understood why. Many have stories of how Waheeda and Asaf have helped them, especially during lockdown when they looked out for the more vulnerable customers.
In 2018 Waheeda was crowned ‘queen’ of Calverley in a lighthearted community awards run by Creative Calverley community organisation.
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