Shoppers spying twenty per cent discounts flocked to a triple whammy of official charity shop openings in Dulwich over the weekend.
St Christopher’s Hospice unveiled a brand new branch in West Dulwich while two reopened stores on Lordship Lane were inaugurated on Saturday, December 27.
Helen Simmons, St Christopher’s Chief Executive and a Dulwich resident, thanked locals for their “strong” support after a record-breaking year for the charity.
“Over the past year we’ve seen strong growth in our shops, and generated more money from them than ever before in 2022/23, which all goes towards our care for those at the end of life, as well as their loved ones,” she said.
Helen Hayes MP cut the ribbon on the newest addition – a fashion-focussed store at the corner of Croxted Road opposite the Tesco Express in West Dulwich.
Meanwhile, 89-year-old volunteer Carolina enjoyed the “big honour” of cutting the ribbon at the shop at 85-87 Lordship Lane alongside Southwark Mayor Michael Situ.
Having served the charity for over 30 years, she said: “I enjoy volunteering. It’s all for a good cause and I have the time. It’s better than sitting at home! It’s a big honour to be asked, I’m a bit nervous.
“Volunteering for 30 years, I know a lot of people. I see people everywhere, in the shop, on the bus, in the street. I don’t know where I know them from usually but it’s nice. At my age, you just live one day at a time.”
Just metres up the road, eighteen-year-old Ben Parish did the honours at the East Dulwich kids’ store reopening.
As a youngster, Ben received support through St Christopher’s child bereavement service, Candle, after his mum and grandad died.
All three locations offered 25 per cent discounts on goods for an hour after the ribbon cuttings.
Croxted Road’s store is the charity’s 24th shop across South London and started welcoming customers just before Christmas. It has brought in more than £20,000 in its first six weeks of trading.
Each year St Christopher’s needs to raise more than £16m to continue providing support and care for those in the community.