Meet Maureen and Jo

Maureen and Jo are long-standing volunteers at our Sunninghill shop, a much-loved part of the High Street for over 30 years. Every donation that comes through the doors helps raise vital funds for hospice care and by signing up for Gift Aid, supporters can help make those donations worth even more at no extra cost to themselves.

"Our regulars are fantastic," says Maureen. "They come in with bags of really good quality clothes, accessories and paired shoes, all clean and in great condition. Many of them have signed up for Gift Aid and label their donations with their details, which makes it so much easier for us to process. It's a simple step that means the Hospice can claim an extra 25p for every £1 raised from those items that we sell."

With a constant stream of donations arriving every day, quality really matters. Clothing is always in demand, particularly children's and men's items, alongside books, toys and games. Complete games and cuddly toys with CE marks are especially popular with customers.

Homeware is another key area. "Complete sets of crockery and glassware sell really well," Jo explains. "But single items or chipped pieces are difficult for us to use. Good quality donations help us raise more money, and when they're Gift Aided, they can have an even bigger impact."

The team also highlights the importance of donating at the right time. "Anything left outside when we're closed has to be thrown away for health and safety reasons," says Maureen. "It's a real shame, as the Hospice has to pay to dispose of these donations."

By bringing in quality items during opening hours and signing up for Gift Aid, supporters can help every donation go further. It's a quick and easy way to increase the value of donated goods, helping more stock reach the shop floor and raising even more vital funds for local hospice care.