The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Anyone for the last few wedding dresses?
A LARGE, rectangular sign on the street-side window of the Sue Ryder Foundation shop at Lower Main Street here in Castleisland is letting the world know that new wedding dresses are on sale within for €50.
The Sue Ryder Foundation Charity Shop in Castleisland has been operating for four years.
The foundation supports the care of the elderly by providing care homes in many locations around the country. These are funded through the operation of Sue Ryder charity shops in towns throughout Ireland.
The Castleisland shop, at Lower Main Street – next door to the River Island Hotel, has recently acquired a new manager. Derry Curtin is a Castleisland native who has been in the role since January of this year.
“The shop stocks a wide range of merchandise including a large selection of books on many subjects. We also have a large stock of ladies, mens and children’s clothing in all sizes,” said Derry.
“It also carries a huge selection of furniture along with CDs, bric-a-brac, toys, shoes, and handbags.
“We currently have a sale on brand new wedding dresses for only €50 each! These came from another shop with too much stock on their hands and we we’re glad to take them in. And we’ll be even happier to let them go again.
“I wish to thank all our hard working volunteers and especially, Eileen Walsh from Cordal who has been a dedicated volunteer since it opened four years ago.
“At the moment we are recruiting volunteers for the shop. Anyone interested in giving some of their free time to a good cause please call in for an application form.
“We also appreciate any donations that anyone might want to make to the shop.
“We are open six days a week, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm. Feel free to come in and browse,” said Mr. Curtin.
The Sue Ryder Foundation was founded in Ireland in1982 and is a not-for-profit organisation and the Castleisland branch opened in February 2013.
The foundation is dedicated to providing the elderly and disabled with housing and support and ensuring that they can live safely, securely and independently.
The challenges that age and disability brings are more manageable in the independent but supported environment the Sue Ryder Foundation provides.
A large part of the foundation’s funds are raised from the shops which sell a wide range of donated goods – bric-a-brac, books, nearly new clothing, etc.
The shops aim to keep up a high standard of appearance and have four broad functions: 1. To raise greatly needed funds for the foundation’s work; 2. To make better known the needs of the sick and disabled in its locality; 3. To bring people together from all walks of life in voluntary service; 4. To serve the community.
“Managers and voluntary helpers derive much pleasure from working in the shops and endeavour to create a friendly atmosphere. The work is hard but enjoyable, interesting and often amusing, and many friendships are made among both helpers and customers.
If you’d like to buy, donate or volunteer, the contact number for the Sue Ryder Foundation Shop in Castleisland is: 085 86 64 999.