Chippenham charity shop celebrates five years of fundraising

HARDWORKING fundraisers have celebrated the amazing success of a Chippenham charity shop.

Barnardo’s opened in Lodge Road, Pewsham, in the summer of 2013.

Since then it has received more than 31,000 bags of donations and more than 10,000 hours of voluntary support to raise funds for the charity’s work with vulnerable children across the UK.

Barnardo’s area business manager Emma King paid tribute to the staff and volunteers during a celebration to mark the store’s fifth anniversary.

She said: “We are immensely proud of the Chippenham team and their dedication to the charity.

“There are 13 volunteers, aged from 14 to 69 years old, and they’ve all played a vital role in the store’s success. We wouldn’t be able to operate without them.

“They’ve received all sorts of donations over the years, from false teeth to a box full of designer shoes thought to be worth a thousand pounds!

“It shows the value of browsing for a bargain in a charity shop – you never know what you’re going to find.”

Barnardo’s still has plenty of roles available for potential volunteers willing to spare just a few hours each week.

Emma said: “Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and make new friends, as well as a valuable opportunity to learn new skills and build self-confidence which can help in the search for employment.

“We have all sorts of roles available, from sorting the stock and steaming the clothes to filling the shelves and serving the customers, but everyone has lots of fun.”

The Barnardo’s store is open Monday-Saturday from 9am-5.30pm, and on Sundays from 10am-4pm.

The team always welcome donations of good-quality clothes, books, toys, games, bric-a-brac and accessories, as well as offers of help from potential volunteers.

Call (01249) 445524.

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