Book stall toasts £100k milestone
Staff raise cash for CHAS
A charity book stall based within a popular Tillicoultry cafe have been toasting their efforts after raising £100,000 for a well-loved cause.
Staff at the Mill Café , based within Sterling Home Tillicoultry, kicked off the special stall 18 years ago and it has proved a popular addition, offering an opportunity for generous locals to donate to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
The stall at the café kicked off when CHAS retail volunteer Jess Greenhill approached Sterling Furniture’s former director Suzanne Howarth to gain approval for the idea, with Jess running the stall after her sad passing in 2020.
It has now been taken over by Jess’s friend and former café employee Helen Muirhead and it continues to go from strength to strength in support the charity, which provides specialist hospice care for children and their families.
Eileen Mackay, Mill Cafe Manager at Sterling Home Tillicoultry said: “It started off with just a few second-hand books on a table but it’s grown into a well-maintained and busy bookstall.
“It’s built into a café wall so it’s well and truly in with the bricks!
“Lots of families visit the café and store, and being a family-run business ourselves, we felt CHAS was a brilliant cause to raise money for as it supports children and their families across Scotland.
“The book stall is well used by staff and customers on a daily basis and is well looked after by Helen.”
The £100,000 milestone was marked by a special celebratory event, with CHAS Community Fundraiser Lyndsay Stobie, who picked up a six-figure cheque for the momentous total.
CHAS Retail Development Manager Ken Doig added: “We are so grateful to the Mill Café and Sterling Home Tillicoultry for reaching this incredible milestone.
“All funds raised go directly towards helping the sustainability of our services which support children with life-shortening conditions and their families right across Scotland.
“We are indebted to Jess Greenhill for her passion in setting up this modest book stall all those years ago and thankful to Helen for continuing Jess’s legacy with such pride and dedication.”