An amateur photographer who had £5,500 worth of camera equipment stolen has said she is “overwhelmed” by the response to a new crowdfunding campaign.

Shellie Wall, a 33-year-old mature student at the University of Essex, used the equipment – which included her first-ever camera – to snap more than 2,000 pictures of this year’s graduation ceremonies.

Thankfully the pictures were saved, but the equipment was taken from Dales Road in Ipswich, where Shellie, from a small village near Copford, was staying with her partner, earlier this month.

“I’m overwhelmed with the response I’ve had. I didn’t think people would donate as much as they have,” said Shellie.

“We now have more than £700 in total, which is amazing. I didn’t want to ask people for their money, but one of my close friends and colleagues Josh Gulrajani set up a page for me and we quickly saw people leave lovely messages of support.

“It’s heartwarming, really, that people I don’t even know have donated.”

Shellie has been taking photographs for the university’s students’ union for several years now, and has captured various events such as the Summer Ball, graduation and sports events such as Derby Day, an annual contest between Essex and the University of East Anglia (UEA).

She added: “I was shocked to find out the equipment had been taken. I’ve enjoyed taking photographs for a long while and I’m upset the equipment has gone.

“I’d like to thank Josh personally for his help with my campaign as he and a few others have shared the campaign on social media which has attracted a lot of attention.”

Suffolk police officers are currently investigating the incident.

Call police on 101 with information about the theft.

Visit click.hubbub.net/p/shelliescamera to donate.