Local charity St Peter’s Hospice has scooped two gongs at this year’s national Charity Retail Association Awards.
The Downend St Peter’s Hospice shop was awarded ‘Shop Team of the Year’ while St Peter’s Hospice Area Manager Victoria Canavan was named ‘Retail Staff Member of the Year’.
The ‘Shop Team of the Year’ award was won as a result of sales figures and a host of fundraising ideas by the shop team over the past year. The combination of an increase in sales as well as excellent recruitment and retention of volunteers wowed the judges.
The ‘Retail Staff Member of the Year’ Award was presented to Victoria as a result of her exceptional skills in retailing and fashion.
Victoria started as shop manager in July 2013 and in May 2014 she was promoted to Area Manager, now responsible for 15 shops. Among Victoria’s many fantastic achievements, she joined forces with Creative Youth Network, who give people aged 16-25 the chance to get hands-on experience and earn a qualification. Victoria gave these young people 10 bags of items which the shops were unable to sell and they created some unique and stylish outfits.
John Flanagan of St Peter’s Hospice said: “It is wonderful to be acknowledged for not one but two awards for our charity retail work. The Charity Retail Association is a prestigious national organisation so these awards really mean a lot.
“We have 47 charity shops across Bristol which not only provide our customers with brilliant bargains but also generate vital funds for the hospice which cares for life-limited adults in Bristol. Without these funds we would not be able to continue doing the work we do.”
The awards ceremony, now in its eight year, is held by the Charity Retail Association (CRA), the only body in the UK that represents the interests of charity retailers. The CRA represents 80% of charity shops in the UK. This year’s ceremony was held at Keele Hall in Staffordshire.
Generating £290m per year in profit and harnessing the skills of more than 213,000 volunteers nationwide, charity retail promotes charitable causes and an environmentally sustainable retail experience. It is this achievement which is being celebrated.
Martin Blackwell, Chief Executive, Charity Retail Association said: “The Charity Retail Association is showcasing the excellent work being undertaken in the country’s charity retail sector. These awards always bring forward amazing stories of creativity and dedication and this year’s awards was overflowing with innovative ideas and inspiring people.”
As Bristol’s only adult hospice, St Peter’s Hospice cares for more than 2,670 patients each year as well as supporting family members.
All services are provided free of charge but this care costs around £18,000 a day. For around £14,000 of that, the hospice relies on gifts in wills, kind donations and funds generated by the hospice shops.