CHARITY STAFF SHORTAGE PROMPTS APPEAL (From Warrington Guardian)

CHARITY STAFF SHORTAGE PROMPTS APPEAL

A STAFF shortage looks set to force a Crewe charity shop to shut down during peak trading hours.

The Imperial Cancer Research Fund shop in Market Street, which has raised over £380,000 since opening in 1985, hasn't enough volunteers to cover the shifts.

Shop manager Lillian Swaby said she was saddened by the demise of the store.

"This shop has become a landmark in the town, we have been here so long and we have so many loyal customers and donators,"she said.

"Unfortunately we just don't seem to have enough volunteers to keep the shop open, particularly in teh afternoons and on Saturdays.

"Although we have a fantastic team of dedicated and hard-working volunteers, they are tied to particular shifts and unable to help at these times.

"So we are appealing to members of the local community to spare us as little as two to four hours a week to help out. It doesn't sound a lot but it means the world to us."

Lillian emphasised that anyone of any age can be a volunteer at the shop, despite the usual stereotypes.

"Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be over 50 and a woman to enjoy being a volunteer," she said.

"We know that some people are a bit nervous about wandering into the shop to offer their services, so we thought we'd make it easier by actually asking for help."

Anyone who can help out at the shop can contact Lillian Swaby on 01270 256548.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.