Hardworking fundraisers at a Bath charity shop are in desperate need of more volunteers, and are appealing for the community to come forward and help them out.
The Barnardo’s store on Shaftesbury Road in Oldfield Park is one of the longest-established in the South West.
It opened in 1980 and has since received tens of thousands of bags of donations from the local community.
However, in recent years many of the older volunteers have retired and now the charity is keen to recruit more helpers of all ages and backgrounds.
Barnardo’s manager Karen James and store associate Sheila Sawyer are supported by just six volunteers, aged from 14 up to 69 years old.
Over the last year they worked through 2,500 bags of donations.
Karen said: “We have a fantastic team but we know that we could achieve so much more with just a little extra help each week.
“Volunteers can choose from a wide variety of roles, including sorting the donations, steaming the clothes, arranging displays and serving the customers.
“It’s a great way to meet new people, make new friends and learn new skills. It’s lots of fun, and every hour of support is always appreciated.
“Working together, we can transform the lives of some of the UK’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.”
The Barnardo’s store is open Monday-Saturday from 9.30am-5pm, and on Sundays from 10am-4pm.
The team always welcome donations of good-quality clothes, books, toys, games, bric-a-brac and accessories, as well as offers of help from potential volunteers. If you can help, call 01225 330339.
