Broadwater charity shop marks fifth birthday

Worthing mayor Michael Donin joined staff, volunteers and customers in the Cricketers Parade shop last Friday for champagne and cakes.

He presented long-service awards to some of the volunteers and praised the team for their hard work over the years.

“Without charity shops like St Barnabas, I think we would certainly be a poorer society,” he said.

“We would not be able to offer the support that we do, to the people that really need it. Also, without the volunteers who give up their time, this really couldn’t happen.”

Since it opened, the Broadwater shop has sold more than 145,000 items and raised £366,163 for the hospice, in Titnore Lane, Durrington.

Mr Donin said he had recently visited the hospice and was fascinated to see how the charity shops help contribute to the charity.

Tina Olliver, 54, of Hurley Road, has been branch manager since 2010 and was awarded a long-service certificate.

She said: “It means the world to me. We have a magic formula here of great volunteers, my brilliant assistant manager Helen, and a supportive community of people who donate and shop with us.”

Volunteers Elaine Edwards and Mary Smart also received awards for their contribution over the years.

Elaine, 59, had a special reason for helping out. She said: “My mother was cared for by the hospice and I just wanted to give something back to them.”

Mary, 27, who is the longest-serving volunteer at the shop, added: “Tina and everyone here have been so helpful to me, even when things have been difficult.”

A magnificent spread of food and drink was laid on for guests, including a three-tier birthday cake made by Karen Bentley, the manager of St Barnabas House’s Northbrook Road distribution centre.

For entertainment, there was a graphologist who could describe people’s personality traits from their handwriting. As guest of honour, the mayor was first in line and he was suitably impressed by the results.

Visit stbarnabas-hospice.org.uk for more information about volunteering.

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