Blue Cross charity shop in Heath Hayes shortlisted for prestigious national award
The Blue Cross shop in the Hawks Green District Centre on Heath Way has been shortlisted for the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards for the West Midlands region. The winner will now be decided by a public vote, which opened on September 4.
The wards, run by the Charity Retail Association, are now in their second year and are a celebration of the impact that charity shops have within their local communities. For many, charity shops are more than a place to pick up a secondhand bargain – they are community hubs that employ local people, help volunteers find friendship, and offer support to those with first-hand experience of the causes they support.
More than 5,000 nominations were received this year and, as part of the process, people were asked to share why they were nominating their favourite shop. When asked what makes the Heath Hayes shop so special, members of the public said:
One customer commented: “This shop is the most customer friendly shop I have ever known. Nothing is any trouble for them. They have a good listening ear and some people go just for a bit of company and they don't mind at all. Besides there are bargains to be had and new stock all the time.”
Robin Osterley OBE, Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association, said: “Congratulations to all the shops that made the shortlist and thank you to everyone who made a nomination. The level of support the Awards continue to inspire highlights just how much charity shops mean to their local communities. We are now calling on the public to cast their votes and decide which shops will be crowned winners in 12 areas across the UK.”
Voting closes at midnight on 2 October. To see all the shortlisted shops and for more details about the Awards, visit: charityretail.org.uk/the-uks-favourite-charity-shop
