Appeal for donations at Whitby’s Oxfam shop

Whitby’s Oxfam shop is struggling to fill the shelves after donations have fallen to an all time low.
Whitby's Oxfam shop is in need of donationsWhitby's Oxfam shop is in need of donations
Whitby's Oxfam shop is in need of donations

Volunteer Robert Kingsley-Smith, 28, said he had just eight bags of winter clothes left to sort and then he would run out.

The Whitby branch does receive a delivery from other shops once a month, but it is the donations that keep the store going.

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Shop manager, Lynda Cole, 41, said: “The problem we have with donations is that people can’t get parked outside.

Volunteer Robert Kingsley-Smith said he has just eight bags of winter stock left to sort out.Volunteer Robert Kingsley-Smith said he has just eight bags of winter stock left to sort out.
Volunteer Robert Kingsley-Smith said he has just eight bags of winter stock left to sort out.

“We do offer a collection service, our volunteer, Amanda, goes out on a Monday morning to collect from people locally.”

When asked what the store most requires, Lynda instantly said: “Womenswear, homewares and books, both non-fiction and fiction.

“We also need shoes, handbags, toys, DVDs and CDs.

“We’ll take all of it, we are desperate for everything.”

Shop manager Lynda Cole with volunteer Prakai Srinadourg by the the empty donation bin.Shop manager Lynda Cole with volunteer Prakai Srinadourg by the the empty donation bin.
Shop manager Lynda Cole with volunteer Prakai Srinadourg by the the empty donation bin.

People who want to donate but are worried about parking the car, can be met outside, Lynda said: “If people just phone and say ‘we’re on our way down, please can someone meet us outside’ we’ll be happy to go out to them.”

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Lynda said the shop used to get a lot of corporate donations, but now the Whitby branch doesn’t get allocated any of these, only receiving new items when other shops have too many.

“We do still get New with Tag donations though,” said Lynda, but the shop could always use more.

Lynda said they don’t get that many weird and wonderful donations, however did single out one in particular, a Cartier travel clock which sold for £250.00.

Robert sorts the winter stock.Robert sorts the winter stock.
Robert sorts the winter stock.

There are few things the shop can’t take, they even accept small electrical items which are then sent to another branch for PAT testing.

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Small items of furniture such as tables, dressers, bedrails, cabinets and drawers are also welcome, however, they can’t collect furniture as they don’t have a vehicle big enough to collect it in.

Lynda said it’s not just stock in good condition they would like: “ We also take items people know aren’t saleable, we still make money from it as it is sent for recycling.”

The shop currently has 21 volunteers, but could always use more, especially on a weekend.

If you would like to volunteer, or are able to help in any way, contact the shop on 01947 604680.

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