Great Harwood celebrates 10th Anniversary!
Today, Wednesday 9th June 2021, East Lancashire Hospice’s Great Harwood shop celebrates its 10th anniversary since first opening back in 2011.
This is no mean feat and is something all of the staff and volunteers at the hospice are particularly proud of given that for many retailers, an ever changing landscape on the high street has at times been all too challenging. It is thanks however to the people of Great Harwood and the surrounding areas, that the shop has stood the test of time and continues to generate valuable income which goes directly towards the provision of patient care both at the hospice and out in the local community.
And of course none of this would be possible without the incredible support of the fabulous volunteers who together with the Shop Manager, Susan, help to run the shop giving their time, treasure and talents, many of whom have been with the shop from the start including Dorothy, Barbara and Hazel.
Here Dorothy tells us how she came to be involved as a volunteer and one of her favourite memories to date “At the age of 66 in 2011, I retired and after a month or so I noticed a poster in the shop window of the Great Harwood shop advertising for volunteers. I initially started two days a week on a Wednesday and a Friday, more recently choosing to reduce my hours to one day. I can honestly say that I have loved every minute of it and have had some wonderful times not to mention, I have made friends for life in my colleagues as well as the other volunteers!”
Dorothy goes on to explain “One of my fondest memories over the past 10 years is of a lady who used to live over the road who was married to an American gentleman. On Thanks’ Giving Day a couple of years ago, she cooked and brought to us the most amazing Thanks Giving Meal with all the trimmings complete with a table chairs which she proceeded to set up for us outside the shop!”
Dorothy adds “The thing I love more than anything in my role as a volunteer, is meeting and helping people as well as listening to their stories good and bad! There is nothing more rewarding than helping someone to find that special outfit for a Christmas party or maybe even a wedding!”
Sharon Crymble – Income Generation and Marketing Lead for East Lancashire Hospice commented “It’s really important to us that we recognise this special milestone in our Great Harwood Shop’s history. As a charity we have to raise £3.9 million a year to care for our patients and Great Harwood is one of our four shops which together with our furniture showroom generate a significant income stream for the hospice. We are extremely grateful to the people of Great Harwood and the surrounding areas who have supported us over the past 10 years both donating items and making purchases from the shop. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our volunteers, in particular those who have been with us since the beginning, without you we simply could not do what we do and it means the world to us all, our patients and the families”.
To mark the occasion, volunteers new and old from the Great Harwood Shop popped down for a spot of cake generously gifted to the hospice by sisters Lauren and Rachel of the newly opened Finch Bakery which sits opposite the shop on the high street.
And if you have been inspired by Dorothy’s story, the Great Harwood Shop is currently looking for volunteers for Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. To apply pop into the shop or call (01254) 287014
The shop is located at 41 Queen Street, Great Harwood, Blackburn, BB6 7QP and is open from 9:30am – 4pm Monday to Friday and 9:30am to 1pm on a Saturday.
For further information please contact Katie Elliott – Marketing & Communications Lead on:
Telephone: 01254 287015
Email: Katherine.Elliott@eastlancshospice.org.uk