My name is Mary and I have been volunteering at the Hospital Charity shop in Sturminster Newton now for more than 23 years after a career in teaching.

I started off serving the customers and gradually got more involved with the sorting and pricing of the incoming goods. I have learnt so much since I have been pricing the bric a brac items and love it when I find the more special goods in a box that I know we can research and sell for the Charity’s benefit.  Whenever we are unwrapping boxes of donated goods, we never know if it will be a selection of mismatched mugs or that elusive pot of gold!  There is nothing more satisfying than finding the more unusual items and knowing that whether we sell them at auction or in our shop, we are going to raise lots of money for the charity.

If you are thinking of joining us then do it!  I have made lots of great friends in the shop, we are a family and we are all working for the good of our local hospital.  We always welcome new volunteers and customers alike, we enjoy a giggle while we work and no two shifts are ever the same!