John Taylor Hospice’s first charity shop attracts crowds

BIRMINGHAM’S John Taylor Hospice has opened its first charity shop in its hundred year history – right in the heart of Erdington.

And crowds of shoppers were on the doorstep eager for the store to open.

The John Taylor Hospice shop at 121 High Street was officially opened on Friday 11 May by hospice patient Cat Mackrill and nurse consultant Sarah Bache.

Joining the opening ceremony were staff, supporters, volunteers, patients, families and local dignitaries including Erdington MP Jack Dromey and Erdington councillor Robert Alden.

After cutting the turquoise ribbon to officially open the shop, 46-year-old Cat, who attends the hospice’s Living Well Centre, said: “I live in Erdington and I love charity shops so to be asked to open the John Taylor Hospice charity shop is a real honour.

“The hospice has been such a great help to me. It’s a very special place and the staff, volunteers and other patients have become great friends.”

And she thanked shoppers who had crowded outside waiting for the doors to open.

“Every pound you spend is helping John Taylor Hospice make every moment matter for people like me,” she added.

The Erdington shop is the first for the hospice but it won’t be the last, said CEO Penny Venables.

“We are absolutely delighted to be opening our first shop here on Erdington High Street – it was the obvious choice for a hospice which has been in Erdington since 1948.

“It is part of our strategy to open more shops in and around Birmingham to ensure increased income for the hospice. By raising more money, we will be able to reach more local families who need our expert care at end of life.

“We are really grateful to everyone who has helped us reach this point. So many people have donated beautiful clothes and products for us to sell, our volunteers have given so much time to make the shop look amazing and our staff have been working hard to ensure all opened smoothly today.

“We look forward to opening more shops over the coming months so please keep donating your goods, let us know if you would like to volunteer and come and visit our shops.”

The John Taylor Hospice charity shop sells good quality used and donated new clothing and accessories, bric-a-brac, books, DVDs and CDs.

At the opening, Erdington MP Jack Dromey said: “John Taylor Hospice does such fantastic work and makes such a difference for local families. I’m really pleased that this shop will help it raise money towards that work.”

To celebrate the opening, hospice volunteers were out and about in Erdington giving shoppers chocolates which were donated by the Unite branch at Cadbury.

For more on how to donate goods or volunteer at John Taylor Hospice’s charity shops please see https://www.johntaylorhospice.org.uk/shops

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