10 September 2003

Charity volunteers from Rugeley turned catwalk models for the day to launch the new range of Autumn and Winter fashions on sale at St Giles Hospice Shops.

The ladies - all volunteers at the local charity's Rugeley shop - took a break from their usual duties to show off a selection of the high-quality donated clothing now available.

The twelve charity shops across the region - including the Rugeley store - are stocking a huge range of men's and ladies' autumn and winter wear ideal for the cooler months ahead.

And happy shoppers won't only be feeling good about their new clothes, as all the proceeds from the items they buy go to support the hospice's work caring for local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Lynwen Truesdale, General Manager of St Giles Hospice Shops, said: "With the winter weather fast-approaching, it's time to think about updating your wardrobe.

"The fabulous selection of clothes now available in our shops means there is not only a fantastic choice of high-quality items - but everything is for sale at value-for-money prices.

"We are also delighted to receive donations of unwanted clothing and accessories that we can sell, to enable us to continue to fund our valuable work."

The new season's collection can be viewed at the Rugeley shop at 4 Upper Brook Street. The shop is open Monday - Saturday from 9.30am to 4.15pm, and further information is available by contacting staff on 01889 576816.

The shop will also be stocking a range of party wear from early October.

All proceeds from the shops go to support the work of St Giles Hospice, a registered charity offering high-quality medical and nursing care for people living with cancer and other serious illnesses, as well as providing support for their families and carers.

Patients come from across the hospice's catchment area, which ranges from Ashby de la Zouch and Atherstone in the east, to Cannock and Walsall in the west - and from Burton and Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.

Care is offered either at the hospice in Whittington, near Lichfield, or in patients' own homes across the region, where community nurses have made 5,000 visits over the past twelve months.

The range of high-quality, specialist services are expensive to provide, and the hospice relies heavily on donations and fundraising - of which the network of hospice shops is an important element. Last year, the shops and warehouse raised a record £586,000 to support the hospice's care.