St Richard’s Hospice’s new flagship store is celebrating a successful first year and is inviting supporters to a special birthday evening.
The hospice’s refitted shop in St Swithin’s Street, Worcester, was opened with a fanfare in July last year and replaced its temporary store at The Cross and the Snowdrops Bookshop in Reindeer Court. The modern, light and airy store proved an immediate success, significantly increasing donations to the local charity from its opening night.
The celebration event, to be held at the store on Friday 24th July from 6pm, will include a fashion show and an exclusive sale of new fashion and books. Guests will also have the opportunity to take part in a birthday raffle and enjoy a celebratory drink.
Novelist and hospice patient Geoff Cumbley has donated 150 copies of his latest novel and will be offering signed copies for sale on the evening. Free Spirit, Geoff’s second novel, is a tale of one man’s search for the American dream and is set during the years of the American Civil War. Geoff hopes that his novel will raise funds for the hospice which has cared for him for the last two years and enabled him to manage his illness at home.
High street shops are a charity’s face within the community and offer an easy way for people to get involved with the organisation by donating their unwanted items, and purchasing second-hand goods no longer required by others. The hospice operates 17 stores across Worcestershire and is committed to offering a high quality experience for people visiting its shops and to maximising the money raised from donated items.
Over the last 12 months, the revamped St Swithin’s Street store has seen customer transactions increase by 38% with an increase of 35% in items sold, including an increase of 26% in sales of donated books. The funds raised enable St Richard’s Hospice to provide specialist care to patients with life-threatening illnesses and support their families.
The event is open to all hospice supporters, who are being asked to confirm attendance by calling the hospice on 01905 763963.
Danny Corns, Commercial Director at St Richard’s Hospice, said: “The store and café in St Swithin’s Street has proved a huge success and we are really grateful to our volunteers and the local community for all their support. This birthday event is an opportunity for us to say thank you and to join with everyone who has been involved in the store to celebrate our success. Our programme of store refurbishment has kept us ahead of the game compared to other charities, increasing the number of people visiting the shops to either donate or purchase items. This in turn means that we can continue to offer compassionate care to people at the end of their lives and support their loved ones through a difficult time.”