Charity shops in urgent help plea
Those behind a Strath charity shop have urgently appealed to the local community for volunteers to help keep their outlet running.
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland’s boutique in Auchterarder will reopen on Monday, April 26, after months of being closed.
The charity is calling for volunteers to help “save” stores after its chain of 45 shops lost over £400,000 of income this year due to the pandemic.
The charity also operates a premises in Perth and residents are being urged to help either on the shop floor with stock donations, or keep the shop safe by managing socially-distanced queues and informing customers of safety and hygiene measures.
The charity’s stores are vital in raising funds to help people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions across the country.
Regional retail manager at Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, Carole Edmonds, said: “We are delighted to be reopening our doors again and the team is really looking forward to welcoming back our customers.
“We’re desperately looking for volunteers to help keep the store running and we’re urging people in the local community to spare a few hours a week in the shop.
“Our volunteers are vital in helping us run our shops and in raising funds to help people across Scotland live their
lives to the full.
“Lots of us are looking forward to getting back out and seeing our local high streets busy and bustling again.
“By joining our friendly team, you’ll be helping to save your local store as our community gets back on its feet after lockdown.
“The safety of our staff, volunteers and
customers is a priority and the safety measures that we put in place in the summer are still running in the shop.
“All stock is quarantined for 72 hours, cough screens and hand sanitising stations are installed and there is a limit to the number of people allowed in the shop at any time.
“We will begin accepting stock
donations from Monday, April 26.
“We always receive the most amazing donations from the local community and we’re so thankful for their continued support.
“To help the team manage donations, we’re asking anyone who has stock to give the shops a ring on 01764 660399 or 01738 623939 to arrange a drop-off time.”