Fri, 12 Dec 2025

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 Honesty box 'helps us thank our generous community'

A family raising money to fund a suitable home for their son is among those driving a revival in honesty boxes.
Honesty boxes are making a comeback, thanks to social media and the creativity of home bakers. One family in Kent is using this method to raise money for a new home that will be suitable for their 7-year-old son Evan, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Evan's condition means he'll eventually need a wheelchair-accessible home with specialist adaptations. The family's current home is unsuitable and can't be adapted, so they're seeking £150,000 to buy a plot of land and build a new home. Laura Winter bakes regularly to fill her honesty box, which also serves as a way to give back to the community. "The bake shed allows us to give something back to our community," she said. "It feels less like we are just asking for donations." Honesty boxes have evolved from traditional roadside stalls selling local produce to modern-day setups that often include QR codes and digital payment options. The Winter family's honesty box is a regular fixture outside their home, with customers able to pay online or in cash. The family's efforts have been boosted by social media, which has helped spread the word about their fundraising campaign and Evan's story. They're not only raising money for their own needs but also hoping to raise awareness about Duchenne muscular dystrophy and support other families affected by the condition. As part of their fundraising efforts, the Winter family will be selling Laura's baked goods outside their home this weekend. The community has been generous so far, with some customers overpaying for items to boost the donation amount. In nearby Wrotham, Ridley Court Farm has a supersized honesty box that sells a range of local produce and crafts. Farmer Beth Mellish said that while people do use cash to pay, many also opt for digital payment options, reflecting the increasing trend towards contactless payments in the UK.
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