Overgate opens more of its charity shops

Overgate Hospice has reopened more of its charity shops, following four months of closure.

As lockdown measures are eased, the Todmorden Halifax Road store, is the latest Overgate charity shop to reopen.

In March, the hospice was forced to cancel several of its spring/summer fundraising events and temporarily close all fourteen of its charity shops due to the coronavirus crisis.

Despite losing these two major sources of income, the charity still needed to find £11,600 every single day in order to continue its round the clock care for patients.

Each year Overgate’s charity shops collectively bring in around £1million.

Consequently, lockdown has cost them around £330,000 in predicted income, the equivalent of four weeks of care, from the charity shops alone.

Tracey Broadbent, Head of Retail at Overgate, said: “We are thrilled to be able to welcome our customers back to the shops.

“We would like to reassure our supporters that we are working hard to comply with all government guidelines to ensure their safety.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received since reopening, and by the wealth of donations we have received to help us get back on our feet.

“We know that the coming months will be difficult. Many of our 400 volunteers are sadly unable to return to their roles, and the loss of income since March is already being felt.

“However we know that we can rely on the amazing support of our Calderdale community and that, together, we will make it through these difficult times.”

Further information, including current opening times and the contact details of each shop, can be found at www.overgatehospice.org.uk or by calling the retail team on 01422 387121.

Social distancing measures, including face masks as of July 24, have been implemented in all of the charity’s shops, in order to protect staff, volunteers and customers.

For more information on volunteering at the shops, whether on a temporary or permanent basis, please call 01422 387145 or email [email protected]

To donate to Overgate Hospice, ring 01422 379151 or email [email protected].