St Christopher’s Hospice is to celebrate the opening of its brand-new shop in West Dulwich with an official ribbon cutting event this weekend.
Southwark Councillors, St Christopher’s staff, trustees, volunteers and shoppers will gather for the official opening on Saturday 27 January at 1pm which will feature a 25% discount power hour.
On the same day, St Christopher’s will celebrate the recent upgrade of their two other Dulwich stores – both located on Lordship Lane – after they were given a refurb in the charity’s new branding.
In East Dulwich the shop will be opened by 89-year-old Carolina who has volunteered for the hospice for more than 30 years. She described it as a “big honour” to officially re-open the store where she currently volunteers.
The kids’ shop ribbon will be cut by 18-year-old Ben, who as a youngster received bereavement support through the charity’s child bereavement service, Candle, when both his mum and grandad died.
Attending the official ribbon cutting events will be the hospice’s Chief Executive, Helen Simmons, and the Deputy Chair of the board, Eleanor Brown. They’ll be joined by Southwark Councillors Andy Simmons and Margy Newens in West Dulwich, as well as staff and volunteers from the hospice.
The shop opening extravaganza will kick off at the East Dulwich store on Lordship Lane at 10am. Each of the three stores will feature a ‘power hour’ following the ribbon cuttings where shoppers can bag a 25% discount for 60 minutes.
Focusing on premium fashion, St Christopher’s newest shop is located at the corner of Croxted Road and Park Hall Road, opposite Tesco Express in West Dulwich.
It’s the charity’s 24th shop across South London and swung open its doors for shoppers just before Christmas. It has brought in more than £20,000 in its first six weeks of trading.
Helen Simmons Chief Executive of St Christopher’s said: “As a resident of Dulwich, I know how strong the support for St Christopher’s is here and the shop has been so well received by our community in its first few weeks of trading.
“Over the past year we’ve seen strong growth in our shops, and generated more money from them than ever before in 2022/23, which all goes towards our care for those at the end of life, as well as their loved ones.
“Community is so crucial to St Christopher’s and we can’t wait to celebrate with you all on Saturday 27 January. Please do come down and grab a bargain.”
Eleanor Brown, Dulwich resident, Chair of the Trading Board and Deputy Chair of the board of Trustees, said:
“We’re delighted to open our latest shop within the thriving and vibrant community of West Dulwich.
“We in Dulwich are ardent supporters of St Christopher’s and there has already been wonderful feedback from residents about the new shop and the goods we have on offer.
“In addition, the ability for us to donate so close to home is fantastic and all helps us to raise the vital money for the care St Christopher’s delivers.”
“Every pound spent or item donated means we can continue to support people at the end of life and their loved ones.”
Carolina Wilson, volunteer in East Dulwich for St Christopher’s, said: “I enjoy volunteering, it’s all for a good cause and I have the time. It’s better than sitting at home! It’s a big honor to be asked, I’m a bit nervous.
“Volunteering for 30 years, I know a lot people. I see people everywhere, in the shop, on the bus, in the street. I don’t know where I know them from usually but it’s nice. At my age you just live one day at a time.”
About St Christopher’s Hospice www.stchristophers.org.uk