New Charity Shop opens in the City of Ely to support end of life care in Cambridgeshire

October 22, 2024

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s newest retail opportunity has now opened in Ely. The shop, at 20 / 22 High Street, Ely, joins the six Arthur Rank Hospice Charity shops in Cambridge and the surrounding area, in addition to the Charity’s Retail Hub and Retail Outlet in Pampisford.

The store was opened by Sharon Allen OBE, CEO of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, who was joined by Emma Bratby, Hospice at Home Matron and Jenny Kidd, Team Lead Nurse for Hospice at Home. The team were also joined by ‘Arthur Bear’ and a selection of volunteers and local business members for the opening.

The dedicated staff and volunteer team at the store look forward to welcoming new customers, six days a week, whilst browsing for a bargain. The shop has a new stock of good quality women’s and children’s clothes, menswear, select designer clothing, bric-a-brac, books and media. It is open from 9:30am-5:00pm Monday to Saturday, and 10:00am-4:00pm on a Sunday.

Commenting at this latest store opening Sharon Allen OBE, CEO of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity said “It’s wonderful to see so many people here today supporting the opening of our brand-new store, and that we have the opportunity to expand further into the North Cambridgeshire area, where we already provide our outstanding care via our Hospice at Home service.”

The opening of the store also coincides with a national Hospice UK campaign, solely focussing on the positive impact charity shops have on boosting charity income. Research from Hospice UK shows that charity shops would have to sell 5,373 pairs of jeans to fund a palliative care nurse for a year, and a further 43,000 blouses to provide a patient with a hospice bed for the same period.

All proceeds from the shop will go to support people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end of life care. Services are provided free of charge to the patient and their families, at the Alan Hudson Centre in Wisbech, in their own homes in the Community or at the Hospice in Cambridge.

If you would like to volunteer at the shop or if you have any pre-loved items you would like to donate, please pop into the shop or telephone 01353 501003.