Lancing charity shop celebrates 25th anniversary
The St Barnabas House shop, in Queens Parade, North Road, used the occasion yesterday to prepare for the party season.
Celebrations started in style with supportive customers and volunteers, past and present, tucking into birthday cake and refreshments while browsing the shelves.
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Hide AdAmong them was 85-year-old Jean Webb from Sompting, who was presented with a 30-year service badge by East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton.
Jean started volunteering in 1985 after her father died. He had been to St Barnabas for respite care and Jean and her husband were so impressed with the treatment and kindness he received, they made a donation to the charity and became volunteer drivers.
Then, when the Lancing shop opened 1990, Jean decided to volunteer at the shop, while her husband continued as a driver. He died in 2003 and was also cared for by St Barnabas.
Jean said: “It feels nice for me to be able to give a little bit back to St Barnabas. I’ve been a driver, helped at garden parties and events and worked in the Lancing shop.
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Hide Ad“The shop staff, volunteers and customers are all so friendly. In fact, many of the customers have been coming into the shop since it opened and are more like friends.
“I’m still in touch with volunteers who have since retired and we often meet up to celebrate special occasions. I still work at the shop every Friday, working the till keeps my brain tip-top.”
Hugh Lowson, chief executive of St Barnabas House, took the opportunity to recognise and acknowledge the contribution of four other volunteers at the Lancing shop.
Joan Anscombe, Deborah Samuel, Janice Taylor and Stacey Luxford-Reid were presented with pin badges for five years’ service.
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Hide AdMr Lowson said: “I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to these long-service volunteers. They often don’t realise how valuable they are, and without their commitment and dedication we simply couldn’t run our shops.”
To enquire about volunteering opportunities in any of the St Barnabas House charity shops, contact Mark on 01903 706315.
Visit www.stbh.org.uk for more information about the shops.