HARD-WORKING fundraisers at a Melksham charity shop are celebrating after receiving 10,000 bags of donations.

Since opening in spring 2016 in Verbena Court, the team has raised tens of thousands of pounds to support the charity’s work with some of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

Staff and volunteers celebrated the major milestone by cutting a specially-decorated cake.

The Barnardo’s store is managed by Helen West and store associate Zoe Spencer, who are supported by a team of 11 volunteers aged from 19 to 73 years old.

Helen, who recently celebrated her first year in charge, said: “We wanted to arrange a special thank-you for all of the team who’ve worked so hard to make this store such an amazing success.

“We’ve only been open for a couple of years so it’s fantastic that we’ve already received more than 10,000 bags of donations from the local community.”

“It’s a sign of the immense generosity and goodwill of the people of Melksham and the surrounding villages.”

Since opening, local volunteers have donated more than 1,200 hours of their own time to help with sorting stock, steaming clothes, arranging displays and serving customers.

They have also signed up more than 2,000 donors for Gift Aid, which allows the charity to raise additional money by reclaiming the tax on gifts.

Helen added: “Every day is different as we never know what we’re going to receive.

“We once discovered potatoes at the bottom of a bag of donations, but people have also given designer handbags and gold jewellery. That’s part of the charm of charity shops - they can be a treasure trove of surprises!

“However, the best part of our work is that we’re raising much-needed funds to provide vulnerable children and young people with a brighter future.”

The Barnardo’s store in Melksham opens Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

The team always welcome donations of good-quality clothes, books, toys, games, CDs, DVDs, bric-a-brac and accessories, as well as offers of help from potential volunteers.

In Wiltshire, Barnardo’s also has stores in Chippenham, Devizes, Westbury, Warminster, Amesbury, Salisbury and Swindon.

To donate, call (01225) 436806 or visit www.barnardos.org.uk/shop