As the weekend of Platinum Jubilee celebrations fades into the distance, we can be very proud of the great effort that so many Chester-le-Street businesses made with their shop windows.
It was lovely to walk up and down the town centre, seeing passersby smiling as they enjoyed what our town’s traders had created!
One business whose window always stands out is the St Cuthbert’s Hospice Shop at 172 Front Street, where manager Amy leads a team of dedicated volunteers. Indeed, it wasn’t just the Platinum Jubilee that the shop was celebrating in recent weeks – it was also marking an incredible 25 years of trading in Chester-le-Street.
Set slightly back from the building next door, it’s easy to miss the shop – next to Emmys, and opposite Blooms Florist – and Amy still gets people calling in asking if it’s just opened! In reality, though, the shop has spent the last quarter of a century raising vital funds for this most worthy of causes.
Opened up the road in Durham in 1988, St Cuthbert’s Hospice provides services, free of charge, for people who have advanced illness, are approaching the end of their lives, or are bereaved.
However, like all hospices, St Cuthbert’s only receives a small portion of its funds from government, and has to raise over £2 million each year from its own efforts – including donations, legacies, charitable trusts, and its network of eight charity shops across County Durham.
So, every time you make a purchase from the Chester-le-Street shop, or donate some quality goods that you no longer need – such as clothing, books, records and household items – you are making sure that the Hospice can continue to deliver its important work for those who truly need and value it.
St Cuthbert’s is a volunteering success story too – at any one time there are over 200 volunteers working across the eight shops, freely giving their time while building new friendships and developing new skills!
In fact, Amy took her volunteers out for a meal to celebrate the 25-year landmark, and particularly to thank some of her team who have been volunteering in the shop nearly as long as it has been open. That’s what you call dedication! New volunteers are always welcome – just call into the shop to find out more.
So, thank you St Cuthbert’s Hospice for 25 years of trading in the town, and for always catching the eye with your fabulous displays. We look forward to celebrating with you again in 2047!
To stay up to date with all the latest news, be sure to follow the Chester-le-Street St Cuthbert’s Hospice shop on Facebook.
