The Island's RSPCA is appealing for volunteers to help in its charity shops - as it continues its battle to raise funds during the pandemic.
The charity has had to close two of its shops; in Freshwater and in Ryde and now needs more volunteers to help in its remaining stores in Newport, Ventnor, Sandown and Cowes.
The shops provide a steady source of income for the charity to help fund the vital work it does to rescue, rehabilitate or rehome vulnerable animals on the Island, including domestic, farm and wild animals and birds.
Its volunteers help with a range of duties from sorting stock, pricing, labelling, steaming items, producing window and internal displays, cleaning and tidying and general support to open and close the stores.
Isle of Wight Branch Manager, Suzanne Pugh said:
“Our funds have been hit hard by the pandemic, in part due to the closure of our charity shops which provide such a vital source of income and we have sadly lost two stores as a result of our ongoing cash crisis. We were so happy that many of our past volunteers have returned to the team however we have started a recruitment drive as we do need more help.
“Our volunteers are the beating heart of our charity shops and without them we simply cannot function. Those donated hours sorting books and bric-a-brac or steaming and pricing clothing for display all go towards ensuring an abandoned, abused or neglected animal on the Island can be looked after and rehomed.”
Sarah Collins, Manager outside RSPCA shop in Cowes
Suzanne also praised the community’s response to their recent appeals adding:
“The community has been so generous with their donations of unwanted goods to our stores and we have some fantastic items, from Halloween costumes to small electricals and gifts for Christmas. With the help of extra volunteers, we hope this can generate some much needed funds.”
The stores are currently operating reduced opening hours to help maintain the additional cleaning protocols, so they remain compliant with COVID-19 regulations.
Staff and volunteers are provided with PPE and training and visitors are limited in number at any one time and have access to hand sanitising stations.
Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering in one of the charity’s shops should contact the RSPCA on 01983 824058 or via email to reception@rspca-isleofwight.
If you wish to make a donation to the RSPCA Isle of Wight’s Crisis Appeal, please call the branch or donate via the website https://www.rspca.org.uk/
Four Men Arrested Following Rogue Trader Activities In East Cowes
Rugby Players Set To Scale Great Heights For Teddy
Drug Driving, Domestic Abuse And Stalking Among Arrests Made As Police Target Isle Of Wight Criminals
Work Begins On ‘Monumental’ Mural Project At Historic Columbine Building
More Acts Added To Isle Of Wight Festival Line-Up
St Mary’s Vaccination Hub Gets Ready For Spring Covid-19 Vaccinations
Twenty Isle Of Wight Pubs Under Threat As Stonegate Issues Profit Warning
Fundraiser Launched As Kezi's Kindness Founder Diagnosed With Incurable Cancer
Bon Voyage — White-Tailed Eagle Soars To France
Goddards Brewery Scoops Four Top Industry Awards At International Competition
Briddlesford Road Crash Results In Two Injured
Isle Of Wight MP Extolls Virtues Of Joint Emergency Service Officers For Isle Of Wight
Island Labour Announces Parliamentary Candidates As Quigley Vows To 'Take Fight' To Bob Seely
Can You Help Police To Identify Man Linked To Waitrose Theft?
Ryde Town Council In Crackdown On Dog Fouling
Former Patient Opens New Intensive Care Unit
Isle Of Wight Primary School Place Allocations Announced For September
The Rules Islanders Need To Know For Police And Crime Commissioner Election Postal Voting
Family Pays Tribute To Paul Hart Following Fatal Newport Collision
Teenager Sentenced For Planning Isle Of Wight Festival Terrorist Attack
