Customers flock through the doors at opening of new Soham charity shop

A new East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) shop has been declared officially open in Soham by the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Dr Andrew Harter CBE.

EACH’s fourth retail outlet in the county comprises two former cottages featuring heavily beamed ceilings and walls in addition to flagstone flooring.

The shop in Churchgate Street offers a ladies fashion room, a men’s clothing and media room plus a room for children’s items and bric-a-brac.

Dr Harter, the cofounder of technology company RealVNC and chairman of Cambridge Network, who is hoping to raise many thousands of pounds this year for EACH and Cambridgeshire Community Foundation, was joined in cutting the ribbon this morning by his wife, Lily Bacon. Lily already supports as EACH as a trustee.

Customers then flocked through the doors, spending £830 in the first two hours.

Katie Wool, EACH Shop Manager, said: “We’re delighted to have opened our doors! It was fantastic to have the High Sheriff here cutting the ribbon and I’d like to thank him for giving up his valuable time to do so.

“EACH is known for having well-presented shops with a range of stock, great staff and volunteers - and there will be no exception here! Please do pop in and see what bargains you can find.”

The new EACH shop neighbours Viva Arts and Community Group, whose shop supports arts-based projects across East Cambridgeshire.

EACH opened five shops across the region last year, including one in Cherry Hinton. It had already opened three shops in Norfolk, one in Suffolk and one in Essex in 2018 prior to today. This latest shop in Soham, to trade six days a week from Monday to Saturday, is EACH’s 32nd overall.

It would be pleased to receive donations of the following clean and good-quality goods to sell: clothing, bric-a-brac, modern paperbacks, toys, jewellery, DVDs/CDs, household linens, retro and vintage clothes and small electrical items.

EACH also needs donations of good-quality furniture and can collect it free of charge if you are unable to transport it yourself. Contact its Retail Distribution Centre on 01842 821620 for more information.

To put into context the difference just a small donation to the shop can make to the vital work EACH does, here are some examples of what your donation could pay for:

-         A top, skirt or pair of trousers worth £5 could pay for art supplies for a session of art therapy

-         A tea set worth £10 could fund a nursing care kit

-         A nice wedding hat or jacket worth £20 could pay for a support group for siblings

-         An item of good-quality furniture or prom dress worth £35 could pay for an hour of specialist care.

In the past financial year EACH shops generated an impressive profit of over £900,000 that all goes towards helping families make the most of their precious time together.

Anyone interested in more information on volunteering at the new shop can drop in for a chat, email katie.wool@each.org.uk or call on 01353 722702.



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