5th November 2004
Walmley shoppers have a unique opportunity to spread some charitable festive cheer this month – and pick up some really special Christmas gifts and treats.

Volunteers at the St Giles Hospice shop on Walmley Road have generously donated a little more of their spare time and effort and to raise money for charity, when the shop opens for an extra half-day on Sunday 14th November.

A range of 70 strikingly beautiful hand-made flower arrangements – including vases, wreaths and garlands – will be available, as well as previously unavailable brand-new store items.

Store manager Val Williamson, said: “We hope to raise £1000 on Sunday. Our dedicated volunteers have been crafting the arrangements and gift wrapping the toys for weeks.

“I’d like to encourage everyone to come and have a look for themselves – the garlands and vases really are beautiful, and of course, all proceeds go towards the essential support of the hospice’s work, caring for local people living with cancer.

“A lot of effort’s been made, and we’re all very excited about it!”

Val and the team are looking to raise £1000 in just 4 hours - between 10 am and 2 pm. Together with the floral arrangements – for which volunteers have donated flowers themselves - the event will include a tombola featuring specially gift-wrapped teddy bears and seasonal household items.


All St Giles Hospice shops stock a wide selection of affordable clothing for men, women and children, as well as a variety of items for the home – this includes an extensive range of Christmas cards and other items, available over the festive period.

The Walmley store is open Monday to Saturday from 9.00am to 4.30pm, and volunteers and staff can be contacted by telephoning 0121 250 2504.

The store is one of five St Giles Hospice shops in Sutton Coldfield. The remaining stores are located at 406 Birmingham Road in Wylde Green, 28 Boldmere Road in Boldmere, and 2 stores – including the recently-launched specialist bookshop - at Lichfield Road in Mere Green.
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St Giles Hospice Shops play a vital role in funding the care offered by the hospice, a registered charity based in Whittington, near Lichfield.

The thirteen shops - including a dedicated book shop - are based in major towns throughout the hospice's patient 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.

In addition, a clothing warehouse for donations and a furniture warehouse offering a wide range of high-quality furniture at value-for-money prices, are based in Shenstone, near Lichfield. A selection of furniture is also available at the Cannock and Wylde Green shops.

Donations of high-quality clothing and items for the home are always welcome at the shops and warehouses.

Last year the hospice shops raised a total of £607,000 - and every penny is desperately needed by St Giles. The charity spends over £4million caring for local people with cancer and other serious illnesses, as well as providing support for their families and carers, and relies heavily on the support of local people to enable its valuable work to continue.