VOLUNTEERING WEEK
PARLIAMENTARIAN Helen Goodman received a warm welcome on Saturday, June 8, from the team at Barnard Castle’s Oxfam shop as part of the store’s National Volunteering Week celebrations.
Volunteers’ Week takes place between June 1 and 7 every year, and is a chance to celebrate the contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK.
The Teesdale MP met volunteers regularly giving up their spare time to fight global poverty.
The Barnard Castle Oxfam shop works with 25 people who give up around 140 hours a week to help Oxfam.
The team come from across Teesdale, and includes a range of different ages. The longest serving volunteer, Anne Bell, has been with the shop for 26 years.
Their newest and youngest volunteer is Kirsty McLachlan, a pupil at Teesdale School, is working with Oxfam as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Will Wearmouth, the shop manager said: “I really appreciate Helen taking the time to come and meet some of our incredible team during National Volunteering Week.
“I’m incredibly proud of them. Their dedication and hard work raises tens of thousands of pounds to change and save lives across the world.
“Volunteering is rewarding on so many levels and if anybody would like to join us for a few hours a week, they are more than welcome.”
During the visit, the MP was given a tour of the shop floor, the book room, the online room where the team list items for sale on the internet, and the homeware room, where volunteers sort, clean and polish up donated items.
She said: “I really enjoyed meeting the team and hearing about the work they are doing. The shop is brilliant, bringing together people of all ages and experience into an excellent team. They really take pride in the work they do. They’re always looking for more volunteers to join in, so please get in touch. It’s a great way to meet new people, learn useful skills for work, and really make a difference for a charity.”
If anyone is interested in joining the team of volunteers in the Barnard Castle Oxfam shop, just drop into the store at 1 Horsemarket or phone 01833 631814.
