PDSA shop’s 35-year stint
Staff and volunteers mark milestone
One of Stirling’s oldest charity shops marked 35 years since it first opened its doors this week.
Pet charity The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals’ (PDSA) oldest charity shop in Scotland is located in Port Street in Stirling and was this week celebrating its 35th anniversary.
The charity’s shop first opened its doors to the public on August 16 1982 and has been raising money to fund local PDSA services across the country ever since.
PDSA Stirling Shop Manager, Audrey Peel, said staff and volunteers marked the occasion with a birthday cake.
Audrey said: “We’re all really proud to work for PDSA and it’s a fantastic milestone for the shop.
“Obviously the world has changed massively since 1982, but the commitment to the cause and our passion and drive to raise money for sick and injured pets is as strong now as it was then.
“We have fantastic customers who regularly pop in and support us, some of whom have been coming here right from the beginning. So it will be nice to celebrate the shop’s birthday with them and remember some of the good old days.”
One special face who attended the celebrations on Wednesday is volunteer Ann Christiansen, who will mark 35 years of helping out at the shop in June next year.
She said: “I’ve met so many wonderful people over the years and volunteering at PDSA has been an important part of my life.
“They have helped me develop my confidence and brought out skills I didn’t even know I had.
“Things have changed a lot since I started, but I still love it. I volunteer one day a week now and will help out for as long as I am able to.”
PDSA Stirling shop is always looking for new volunteers to welcome to the team.
To learn more about how you can help, please call the shop on (01786) 478150.