Keen customers were clamouring to shop in the new St Richard’s Hospice charity store which was unveiled in Kidderminster on Saturday (4th Nov).
The newly refurbished shop at 17/18 High Street was opened by 14-year-old Molly Phillips in memory of her grandfather Derek Fradgley, who was cared for by St Richard’s before he died this summer. Stourport businessman and vice-chairman of Worcestershire Ambassadors, Mr Fradgley, was a keen hospice supporter during his lifetime.
Molly, from Bliss Gate, cut the ribbon to officially open the new store and was joined in the celebrations by Kidderminster Mayor Nicky Gale and Mayoress of the day, Rose Bishop.
Molly said, “I’m really proud to support the amazing work St Richard’s do and having experienced it first hand with my late Grandad – he couldn’t have been in a better place.”
Customers flocked to explore the two floors of items including women’s and men’s clothing, a collection of 12,000 books, bric-a-brac, furniture, homeware and more.
The store will help raise funds and awareness of the charity – which in the last year supported 103 people from the area, including 413 bed days at its In-patient Unit in Worcester. Local people also benefited from other hospice services including physiotherapy, complementary therapy, bereavement and family support.
St Richard’s Shops Director Dan Corns said, “we’ve been thrilled with the response from local people to our new store both on the preview night and our opening weekend and look forward to welcoming many more people in the future.”
The new store is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm,and on Sundays from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Anyone who would like to join the growing band of volunteers helping in the store can contact Kirstie Smith, St Richard’s Staff and Volunteer Recruitment Co-ordinator,on 01905763963 or email
St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative and end of life care for patients living with life-limiting illnesses and supports their loved ones. Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,000 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
The hospice strives to provide the best medical, practical, emotional and social support they can to help people live life to the fullest, as independently as they can, for as long as they can. They care for people with a range of illnesses including heart failure, Parkinson’s, and motor neurone disease as well as cancer.
St Richard’s is an independent charity and is grateful for all donations to help it continue its work.