Bank staff pitch-in to decorate local charity shop

13th February 2014

Staff from Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Preston swapped pens for paintbrushes recently, to redecorate a Lancashire charity shop. 

Working in two shifts, 14 volunteers from the Bank donned overalls to repaint the St Catherine’s Hospice Shop on Berry Lane in Longridge, near Preston.

The team’s efforts helped refurbish the shop in time for its tenth birthday, which it celebrates in March.

Based in Lostock Hall, near Preston, St Catherine’s Hospice provides palliative and end of life care across the boroughs of Chorley, Preston and South Ribble, helping people with life-shortening illnesses live as independently as possible and enjoy a better quality of life.

A registered charity, the hospice relies on the support and generosity of local people to raise £3.7m of their £5m running costs each year. The hospice’s 11 charity shops across the area, including the store in Longridge, play a vital role in raising funds by selling pre-loved clothing, furniture and bric-a-brac.

Ian Hardman, Head of Yorkshire Bank’s Business & Private Banking Centre in Preston, said:

“The continued success of St Catherine’s Hospice is testament to its dedicated staff, volunteers and the generosity of the local community. 

“At Yorkshire Bank, we are committed to supporting local charities and are pleased our staff have been able to make a contribution to such a worthy cause.”

Rachel Hewitt, Head of Trading at St Catherine’s Hospice, said:

“We’re delighted with the look of our revamped Longridge shop and would like to say a huge thank you to the team from Yorkshire Bank for all their help.

“Our shops really wouldn’t survive without the support of local people who give their precious time to volunteer – whether that be through a weekly shift in store or helping out with special projects like this refurbishment.”