A Keswick charity shop is urgently looking for volunteers to act as “treasure hunters” to search through a mountain of donations from generous supporters.
The Hospice at Home shop in Museum Square is struggling to sort out all the bags of clothes, books and bric-a-brac donated during the lockdown, and to open the shop on a regular basis due to a shortage of volunteers.
Shop manager Marie Thompson said: “During lockdown it seems everyone has been sorting out at home. It has gone really crazy and we have been overwhelmed with items. We have more than 400 unused items still with their tags.”
The shop has also received some quite unusual items, including a chair from the set of famous British electronic-marionette children’s television series Thunderbirds, which someone has now bought after spotting it through the window during lockdown.
Marie said she worked in the shop with a few of her volunteers during lockdown to try and sort the mountain of donations, but many regular helpers have been shielding so weren’t able to assist.
“Some days we were working in store when local people on furlough knocked and offered to help which we were very grateful for, but most have now returned to work,” said Marie.
“Our volunteers are the backbone of raising funds to provide patient care and support to families and carers within their own home.
“We are looking for treasure hunters to sort donations, window dressers to make us shine, customer service crusaders to value our customers, and antique enthusiasts to value or valuables.”
Anyone who would like to know more details and to set up a taster session can call in to the shop for a chat with Marie, ring 017867 75830 or email [email protected]
