22 October 2003

A Boldmere charity shop has marked its first year of service to local shoppers by holding a special birthday party.

The St Giles Hospice charity shop at 28 Boldmere Road opened its doors for the first time last October - and in its first year has proved a huge success with shoppers from across the area.

Guests of honour at the celebration included shop volunteers, who officially cut the birthday cake which was then shared among customers, fellow volunteers and staff.

Lynwen Truesdale, General Manager of St Giles Hospice Shops, said: "Our shop in Boldmere has proved a phenomenal success in its first year, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who has either shopped with us or donated items for us to sell.

"Such has been the success of the shop that we urgently need more volunteers to help serve customers, and sort through the wide range of donated items we receive.

"I'd appeal to anyone who is able to spare just one morning or afternoon each week to get in touch, and help us to continue our fantastic success story."

Volunteers are part of a small, friendly team with a very important purpose - the twelve shops across the region have raised over £585,000 for St Giles Hospice during the past twelve months.

No experience is necessary, as volunteers receive full training and ongoing support from the shop manager.

The shop sells high-quality secondhand clothing, household items, bric-a-brac, records, books, and other donated goods - as well as a selection of new items.

It is one of twelve across the region raising funds for St Giles Hospice, which cares for local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Further information on volunteering at the shop, or on opening hours and how to donate items that can be sold, is available by contacting the shop on 0121 354 9748.

The shop in Boldmere is one of four St Giles Hospice Shops in Sutton Coldfield. The others are located at 406 Birmingham Road in Wylde Green, 300 Lichfield Road in Mere Green, and at 39 Walmley Road in Walmley.

St Giles Hospice is a registered charity offering high-quality medical and nursing care for people living with cancer and other serious illnesses, as well as offering support for their families and helpers.

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, 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.