News

Staff and volunteers at Honiton’s Children’s Hospice South West charity shop celebrated the shop’s 10th birthday this week.

The shop in the High Street opened its doors on December 16, 2010 and has been well-supported by people in the town, raising thousands of pounds for the charity, which offers vital respite care to children and families all over the South West.

In that time, more than 70,000 bags of goods have been donated to sell in the shop, and countless volunteers have donated thousands of hours of their time.

Manager Lynne Whitehall said there were currently 31 volunteers supporting the shop, including Rosalind Chew, who started volunteering at the shop six months after it opened.

Lynne and assistant manager Emily Thornhill got together with Rosalind and a handful of fellow volunteers to mark the occasion before the shop opened on Wednesday morning.

“It was a bit early for a glass of fizz but we did enjoy a cup of tea together and gave thanks for 10 wonderful years at the shop,” said Lynne.

Everyone has worked so hard to be part of the Honiton community and despite a challenging year for all traders in the town, the shop is going from strength to strength.

“Over the last decade we’ve made many friends here and are on first-name terms with lots of our customers. We have had wonderful donations coming in all the time and we’d like to thank people in the town for their fantastic support, and of course our fabulous volunteers, who are absolutely amazing.”

During the last 10 years, the shop has held three fashion shows and several well-attended Christmas launch events. Last year it won Honiton’s Charter Day shop window competition and retains the cup as this year’s event was sadly cancelled due to the pandemic.

“My assistant Emily is a real trooper and we work so well together,” added Lynne.

“Also, we have had volunteers who have gone on to become manager and assistant manager at other local CHSW charity shops, which is a great example of the opportunities that volunteering can bring.

“If anyone would like to give us a few hours a week as a volunteer please pop in and ask for a form. A warm welcome awaits you here at Honiton.”