5 May 2015
Since opening its doors at the beginning of February, ‘Charity for Care’ in Kelso has seen significant support from the local community, so much so it has made its first donation to palliative care in the Borders much earlier than originally planned.
On Thursday, 23rd April the committee and volunteers from Charity for Care were joined by Lesley Fairbairn, one of the Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialists from NHS Borders, who accepted a cheque for £10,000 on behalf of the Palliative Care service.
The money has been raised in only the first 3 months of trading for Kelso’s newest charity shop, something which has astounded its founder Eilean Hogarth and her volunteers.
Eilean said: “We can’t believe we are in this position so soon after opening. The shop has been very busy and people have been incredibly generous but we certainly didn’t expect to be able to make a donation like this quite so soon.”
The success of the shop is being put down to her hard working team and the support of the public.
Eilean explains: “We are fortunate that the items being donated are of a really good quality and the public seem so keen to support us, but it wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the fantastic team of volunteers who give their time so generously”.
The money will go to the difference, the NHS Borders Charity, and specifically to the endowment fund for palliative care both in the community as well as in the Margaret Kerr Unit.
Karen Nairn, Fundraising Manager for the difference said: “I am really pleased that all Eilean’s hard work has paid off and the shop is proving a success, she has an excellent team around her and this amazing donation will really enhance the palliative care provided in the Scottish Borders.”
This significant donation doesn’t mean the Charity for Care team are resting on their laurels, they soon hope to open the upstairs of the shop specifically for bridal and formal wear. Any donations of this nature can be handed in to the ‘Charity For Care’ Shop on 8 Bridge Street, Kelso between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday.
Pictured left to Right
Back Row: Betty Hughes, Catriona Allan, Stella Gillie, Joan Robertson, Linda Paterson, Rosie Radway
Front Row: Marion Dodd, Helen Stuart, Pam Newington, Eilean Hogarth, Greta Hall, Lesley Fairbairn (NHS Borders), Jim Mackie