St Ann’s Hospice has put out an urgent appeal for volunteers to support staff in its shops across Greater Manchester.

St Ann’s, based in Stockport, Wythenshawe and Salford, is asking local people to consider donating just a few hours of their time each week to help shop staff raise vital funds to support local patients.

Amanda Brooks, Trading Company Manager, said: “We have 14 shops across Greater Manchester and they are really busy community hubs – so busy in fact that we really need some extra support from willing volunteers!

“It’s vital we recruit more volunteers so that we can continue to provide our services, and there’s such a wide range of roles for people to support us with we’re hoping there’s something that will appeal to everyone.

“We need help with everything from window displays and merchandising to serving customers, organising books and DVDs, and collecting and delivering furniture.”

The hospice shops generate thousands of pounds every year for St Ann’s – income that enables the charity to continue to provide care to local patients with cancer and other life limiting illnesses.

The hospice receives just a third of its funding from the NHS, so relies on income from donations and its trading company to carry on its work.

Amanda added: “St Ann’s has to raise around £16,000 every day to keep the doors open, and we simply couldn’t do it without our army of loyal volunteers.

“We have people who support us for a variety of reasons, some are job seekers looking to build their CV, others are retired people who are looking for a new challenge, and we also work with students who are helping broaden their skillset too.

“We give full training and support, and we’d be keen to hear from anyone aged 16 and over who thinks they might be able to help out – even for a few hours a week.  Every small contribution makes a huge difference to our patients.”

Anyone interested in supporting the hospice by volunteering in the shop should contact Kathy Collins on 0161 498 3653 or email volunteer@sah.org.uk.