Charity shop is in need of helping hands

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s store in Bridge of Allan is urgently appealing to people in the local community to volunteer their time and help keep the store running.

The local charity shop reopens on Monday, April 26 after months of being closed. The charity’s chain of 45 shops have been closed throughout the most recent lockdown resulting in a loss of over £400,000 of income.

It is calling for volunteers to help save the local shop as the rebuild of local communities and high streets begins.

They have several opportunities available in store, from helping on the shop floor, with stock donations, and keeping the shop safe by managing socially-distanced queues and informing customers of safety and hygiene measures.

Carole Edmonds, regional retail manager at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said:“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.

“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. To help the team manage donations, we’re asking anyone who has stock to donate to please give the shop a ring on 01786 833565 to arrange a drop-off time.”

To volunteer email volunteering@chss.org.uk