Extra donations are needed to support the work of a charity shop in Norwich. Staff and volunteers are on the lookout for more items to sell at the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) store in Bowthorpe. Donation levels have dipped since last year and it is affecting both shop sales and profits from the charity’s eBay and Amazon operation. Manager Michelle Hinton also hopes to receive more items for her bric-a-brac section, as well as CDs and DVDs. She said: “I’m not sure why it’s happened but certainly something we need help with, by encouraging people to bring in more sellable donations. “At one point, towards the end of last year, we were receiving 70 to 100 bags of donations a day but now that figure is more like 40. “We’re particularly short of items for our bric-a-brac section and could do with more things like CDs and DVDs. “The same goes for small electrical items and perhaps people don’t realise we take that kind of thing. “The only thing we can’t accept is furniture, because our shop isn’t big enough. “However, we’re grateful to receive anything else – as long as it’s in good condition and something we can sell.” The shop is one of four in Norwich, with others in Aylsham Road, Plumstead Road and Unthank Road. EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. It has three hospices, including The Nook at Framingham Earl. “Being short of donations affects our shop but also has a knock-on effect, because we also supply items to the EACH shop in Unthank Road,” added Michelle. “It also means we’re short of things to sell on our eBay and Amazon shops. “This is why we need some help from the local community and surrounding area.” Michelle is also keen to hear from anyone interested in volunteering at her shop, which is based at the Bowthorpe Centre in Wendene. To find out more, email Michelle via [email protected] or call 01603 732874. Photo credits EACH – Image of Bowthorpe volunteers Linda Meager, Ann Seaman and Margaret Fiddy and the outside of Bowthorpe shop
