05/03/13……Children’s hospice charity shop celebrates 5th birthday

THE Helen & Douglas House charity shop in Thame is celebrating its fifth birthday during National Volunteer Week, 1-7 June. It is five years since Sister Frances Dominica opened the shop in Upper High Street and customers and volunteers will celebrate with a birthday cake, and the shop is decorated with colourful balloons which will be given out to children visiting the shop or to passing by.

During National Volunteer Week, Helen & Douglas House is asking people in the community to think about what they can do to support their local hospice charity for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions.

There are two volunteering opportunities; helping occasionally at local fundraising events, or becoming a volunteer at one of the charity’s shops in Oxfordshire. The image of volunteering has changed and Helen & Douglas House attracts people of all ages and abilities, male and female, and those that have a lot of time to give, or very little. The charity was awarded the Queens Award for Volunteering in 2011.

Debbie Sharp, Helen & Douglas House’s Thame Shop Manager, said “We are delighted to be celebrating our 5th birthday today and would like to thank all our customers who shop with us, donate goods and all our amazing volunteers. Without your support we would not be able to raise the money to provide vital support to families with children and young adults with life shortening illnesses living in Thame and the surrounding areas.”

The Helen & Douglas House charity shop in Thame has 22 volunteers, as well as half a dozen local Duke of Edinburgh Award student volunteers and other work experience placements. Debbie, who has worked at the Helen & Douglas House shop since it opened, said “As a local charity we are really part of the community in Thame. Look out for our stand at the upcoming Carnival too.”

If you are interested in volunteering for community fundraising activities contact Thame Community Fundraiser, Helen Archer on 07538 553252 or call 01865 794749 to find out more about retail volunteering, or pop into the shop. For more information about Helen & Douglas House go to www.helenanddouglas.og.uk