Cafe 'superhero' humbled by response after Storm Bert search for tragic dog walker

A cafe owner who opened up during Storm Bert has been overwhelmed by the kindness of her community. On Saturday night, Becca Lloyd volunteered her business as a rescue hub when a missing person search was launched in the Conwy Valley.

Although the search ended in tragedy, when Brian Perry, 75, was found in the River Conwy, Becca was bowled over by the support from Trefriw’s residents. In the aftermath of yesterday’s terrible discovery, a Gofundme appeal was launched in the village in recognition of her “selfless actions and community spirit”.

During the search, Becca refused to take payment when Caffi Doti became a base for police officers, ambulance crews, divers and mountain rescue volunteers. Over the weekend, she served countless teas and coffees, treating police divers and volunteers to a warming meal when the search came to an end.

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“On Sunday night I was in tears on my bed when I saw £100 had been donated to the appeal,” said Beca. “Now, in less than 24 hours, the fund has gone past £700, which is just crazy. It’s makes me very proud to be part of this community. As someone born and bred here, I know how wonderful Trefriw is. Many of my lovely customers and family helped me over the weekend when I opened up, and I’m so grateful for their support.”

Beca, who only opened Caffi Doti in March, locked up just before 3pm on Saturday (November 23). With Storm Burt raging, she was anxious to make it home safety before river levels surged.

Back home in Pandy Tudur, she read social media reports of a man going missing in her beloved village, and instantly knew she had to help. Having got word to the search team leader, who welcomed her idea, Beca drove back to Trefriw to reopen her cafe. With her normal route through Llanrwst under water, she diverted via Betws-y-Coed.

From around 5.30pm until the search was called off for the night at 10pm, Caffi Doti became the search operation’s base. “Police officers were coming to the cafe with an order for six drinks, and then carrying them down to Gower Road,” said Beca. “Others needed to file reports, so came to use our WiFi. It was cold outside and what they were doing was dangerous, so the cafe also became a hub where people could warm up or dry off, or just to use the toilets." Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now

On learning the search was resuming at 9.30am on Sunday, Beca and her husband opened up again. By 12.30pm, the worst possible news filtered back that Mr Perry’s body had been found.

“It so was so incredibly sad for the village,” said Beca. “The family were well known in the village, having visited her for many years. This morning (Monday) Mr Perry’s sister visited the cafe to say thanks and to reminisce about the lovely times they’d had in the village.”

When police divers and mountain rescue volunteers had dried off, they were invited back to the cafe for a bite to eat. Before closing on Saturday, I’d made up a big pan of lobscouse as a Sunday special,” said Beca, now often called “Doti” in the village. “I told them they could have that for lunch. My wonderful customers helped me out, delivering meals and drinks to the divers.”

When she finally closed on Sunday, Beca was unaware of the fundraiser being hatched in her name. As she was to learn later, online and in the village she had been labelled a “superhero in a purple apron”.

The Gofundme appeal by Will Rowe said: “Thank you for being an incredible human being, showing such kindness and providing an amazing place in our village to meet and socialise. There is no doubt that Becca will use this (money) for the benefit of the community, as she is already planning a Christmas meal for some of the residents of the village.”

Beca also has other plans for the money. “It’s been a long-held dream of mine to set up a pay-it-forward scheme for people who can’t afford to pay for drink and meals, and so who are too embarrrased to come in. With this money I’ll be able to attach receipts to menu board items showing they have been paid for already.”

As a former school cook, opening a cafe was a logical move for Beca. However it was her five-year stint as an ambulance call handler that made her so quick to volunteer her business for the rescue operation.

“I knew what the crews have to go through,” she said, adding: “After what happened, the mood in the village has been sombre. But everyone has rallied around, not just me - so many people have helped out.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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