Filey charity shop asks people not to leave donations

The Filey Cancer Fund shop on Station Road was forced to close when lockdown began in March.

The shop is staffed predominantly by volunteers in their 70s, and the difficult decision has been made to close the shop until 2021 to keep all those involved safe.

Jane Cox, 65, cancer fund secretary and treasurer, said: ”The shop only has a small 'back room', with the shop itself being not much bigger.

“As it is, what comes in by way of donations has to be put out straight away.

“We have tried several times to ask people not to leave donations until we reopen next year.

“We made polite signs saying ‘please do not leave here as we will not be open until 2021’ and had twice as much!

“We started with A4 notices, which were totally ignored, and eventually we had to resort to four A4 sheets taped together.

“We’re going to have to go in and sort it out.”

Donations have slowed down, but the volunteers are still finding donations left directly below the signs that ask people not to leave items.

Jane said: “We are not like Oxfam or other large charities, where all stock goes to a central depot before being sent out to their shops. We are literally full.”

The shop, which raises money for local cancer charities and respite providers, has donated around £750,000 since opening over 25 years ago.

Despite having no income at present, the charity is having to pay to have the large bin outsideweekly. This money is being taken from funds which would normally be diverted to those in need.

Jane said: “We don’t overcharge, we’re very cheap and cheerful, it takes a lot of time to raise the money that we do

“When we do eventually open we will once again gladly accept donations. But for now we have to say we’re not opening until 2021, please do not leave anything outside.”