I’m Sam, I am. 2 years ago I quit my job, and my hubby & I put all our savings, including the deposit for a house, into buying a pie business in Derry / Londonderry. Not just any pie business; Pie In The Sky – THE most delicious handmade, artisan scotch pies in Northern Ireland.

The business came with a little black 2011 Peugeot Partner; my trusty steed, or rather work horse that gets me to and from the production unit 4 days a week; then delivering pies around Northern Ireland on a Friday; and then to & from various artisan markets on the weekends.

I have poured my life & soul into this business, literally. I work 70-90 hour weeks just to pay my bills, the unit rent, rates & utilities as well as my suppliers. I am yet to draw a salary, let alone pay back the deposit for the house.

Everything just keeps getting more & more expensive. I am struggling, not just financially, mentally & physically as I try to keep all the balls in the air.

The hardest thing for me to do is ask for help – I’ve always been ‘managed’ even when I haven’t. Here I am; asking for help and relying on the kindness of strangers and friends.

The pie-mobile needs to be replaced – whilst on the delivery run in Belfast I had a little accident which ended up damaging the passenger front drive axle. Insurance has deemed it a write-off. My excess is about £500 and whatever payout the insurance makes, it’s not going to be enough to get a reliable replacement van.

Thankfully no-one was injured, and no other vehicles were involved; but to add insult to injury we had just fitted 4 new tyres and the tank was half full.

The van is not a luxury, it is a necessity

Please consider donating £5 or £10, but honestly any and all donations will be a help in getting Pie In The Sky back on the road.

If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser could help too.

Thank you for reading my story, supporting a small business and helping to get delicious pies delivered around Northern Ireland.

With love & gratitude

Sam (the Pie Girl)