Sue Ryder appeals for more charity shop volunteers

A charity that provides palliative and bereavement care has appealed for more volunteers to lend a hand in its high street shops.

Sue Ryder, which runs the Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough, relies on fundraising activities and charity shops to provide its end-of-life support.

The organisation has asked people to donate their skills and knowledge at its outlets across the region, including organising stock, merchandising and sales.

Sue Ryder volunteer manager, Lucy Swann, said: "We rely on the support of our dedicated volunteers, who are a lifeline to our shops, and we simply could not operate without them."

"No matter how much time you have, we would love you to hear from you," she added.

Last year, the charity's biggest fundraiser event in Peterborough, the Starlight Hike, was cancelled due to flooding at Ferry Meadows.

The charity called it a "huge blow" and added that the event had raised £142,000 over the last two years.

Ms Swann said: "We would absolutely love if any budding volunteers out there would consider making it their New Year's resolution to come and join us.

"Our team of retail volunteers are an invaluable part of our charity and play a critical part in helping us raise enough money so Sue Ryder can keep caring for people in hospices and providing nationwide bereavement support, ensuring no one has to face dying or grief alone."

Sue Ryder has almost 400 charity shops based in high streets, retail parks and shopping centres across the UK. There are 10 across Peterborough alone.

The money raised from its stores goes towards palliative and bereavement services.

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