Lauren Davies and her team of volunteers would like to thank to community of Rye and the surrounding area for their continued support to St Michael’s Hospice. Since the re-opening after Covid, the shop has grown from strength to strength and has had its most successful year raising much-needed funds for our local hospice.
There have been big changes to the shop since its re-opening, including a complete refurbishment and a new layout enabling customers to shop comfortably and enjoy their time in the shop.
Not only can you find great quality pre-loved clothes, bric-a-brac and toys, the shop has a great community buzz with many customers stopping to have a chat with the volunteers and youngsters very excited to find lots of new toys in our children’s room. Lauren works closely with Rye Community Primary School and proudly displays the children’s art work in the shop window. The children have also had school trips to the shop to inspire the next generation to think green and sustainably, which has been recognised in the school’s latest Ofsted report. The Rye shop is now an official provider of pre-loved school uniform and is recognised on the East Sussex County Council website.
There has been a big increase in amazingly generous donations recently, including two Burberry coats raising over £300 which makes a huge difference to the services the hospice can continue to provide. Donors are also encouraged to make their donation go further by signing up to gift aid, and if you have been in store recently you may have noticed the bright yellow stickers on gift-aided items.
A dedicated team of volunteers means the shop is now open 7 days a week, and in the last year an amazing 10 new volunteers have joined the team. Of course there’s always room for more!
Since Covid, Lauren has been on the look out for innovative ways to make more money for the hospice. You may remember the silent auction of the oriental mice chess set where the winning bid was £100. The very happy winner passed the chess set on to her chess-mad son!
Do make sure you pop in and see the team on Cinque Ports Street to find a bargain and learn more about what St Michael’s Hospice has to offer.
Image Credits: Lauren Davies , Kt bruce .
Well done to you Lauren and to all your dedicated Volunteers. We are so lucky to have our own Hospice and all the great people who donate to such a worthy cause. I know you will All keep up the good work. You are ALL a credit to the town of Rye and surrounding areas.
Congratulations to Lauren and the incredible team at St Michael’s Hospice who are doing great work.