Two of our amazing retail staff have made the final of some respected national awards.

Angela Minshull, manager of our Llandudno store and Margaret Yates, a volunteer of some 20 years at our Bridgnorth shop have both made the shortlist in the Charity Retail Association Awards 2024.

Angela Minshull has praised her full team at the Llandudno store

We really are a team

Speaking on her nomination, Angela, who was nominated in the Retail Employee of the Year category, said: “I had been a supporter of the hospices during my previous role in a nearby card store, so when I saw the job advertised in the old shop window, it was too good not to go for.

“In total I’ve been here 13 and a half years and managed Llandudno’s new branch for the last nine.

“Our success really is down to the fantastic team.

“I’ve never known such supportive people and everybody is really committed.

“We really are a team here.”

Margaret Yates has been a volunteer with us for 20 years

Overwhelmed

Margaret, 80, is up for the Volunteer of the Year award was overwhelmed with her nomination and said: “I had to pinch myself when I heard. I didn’t even know I’d been nominated, so to be shortlisted from so many worthy volunteers was a shock. I was over the moon.

“I started working at the Hope House charity shop after I retired.

"A friend suggested I come along to help out, and I haven’t left since! I started working in the back, sorting, and then trained on the till.

"Being on the till is my favourite part of the job. You get to know the customers and hear their stories. There’s such a good atmosphere in the shop. Everyone’s so friendly

“I’m very passionate about Hope House and the amazing work that the hospices do."

The Charity Retail Association is the primary membership association for all charity shops in the UK and the awards are widely considered to be the Oscars of the charity retail world.

The grand final takes place in the Harrogate Convention Centre on the 26th June.