Charity champions! A round-up of Bolton's fundraisers making a difference

THIS month marked the fantastic and long awaited reopening for two of Bolton Hospice charity shops.

The hard working teams opened the doors for the first time in many months at the Astley Bridge and Tonge Moor Road charity shops.
The Furniture Plus stores opened on July 1.

Each of these stores are ready and excited to welcome back some fantastic customers, having introduced a range of new measures to keep everyone safe while shopping including hand sanitising points, one way systems, screens at till points and maintaining social distancing throughout the shops. 

Each of the three stores is also operating temporary opening hours of 9.15am-3.15pm, Tuesday - Saturday.

Kathryn Willett, interim fundraising manager at Bolton hospice, said she is glad to see the shops back open and welcome customers old and new.

She said: “It is wonderful for some of the stores to be back and to begin raising vital funds for the hospice through our shops once again. 

“We are yet to reopen all Bolton Hospice charity shops and The Old Bank Cafe, however we are working hard to return safely, and bring back more of our amazing shop and cafe volunteers too.

“As soon as we are able to reopen we will announce the details here on our website and on our social media to keep our wonderful community of supporters and shoppers up to date.

“Thank you to everyone for their support while our shops were unable to open, and also now as we are gradually returning - it means the world to us.

“The hospice is now able to collect furniture, clothing, bric-a-brac and other items for our charity shops.”

If you would like to organise a free home collection, you can call the hospice shops team to arrange a collection on 01204 663 063. 

There are lots of different ways to fundraise for Bolton Hospice, whether it’s fundraising in memory of a loved one, organising an event in your community or asking for donations in lieu of gifts of a special occasion. If you need any help or have any questions, we’re always on hand to help on 01204 663 065.

Charity receives cash from top firm

EMMAUS Bolton received a £500 charity donation from a Cheshire housebuilder.
Bovis Homes – which is part of the newly-formed Vistry Group – donated the funds to Emmaus Bolton after a Bovis Homes staff member met with the director of the charity.

Tony Stephenson, executive leader at Emmaus Bolton, visited the housebuilder’s Hazelmere new-build location in Haslington with his 75-year-old mother.

A Bovis Homes sales colleague spoke with Tony about Emmaus Bolton’s work to tackle homelessness and social exclusion, and the challenges faced during the lockdown.

Lou Macrae, regional marketing manager at Bovis Homes, said: “We heard of Tony’s story from our sales team who were helping his mum buy a home at our Hazelmere development in Haslington. We thought Tony was so down to earth and passionate about helping the homeless during these times. Our sales adviser was really touched by Tony and the charity and asked if we could help in some way. We’re happy to give a donation of £500 to help him replenish items desperately needed for the homeless especially in the current situation.”

Emmaus Bolton is one of 29 Emmaus communities across the UK.

Each Emmaus has reuse and recycling shops across the country that have been reopening on a phased basis after closing in March due to the lockdown.

Tony added: “At Emmaus, the companions and our team are extremely proud that in normal circumstances we generate all the income the charity needs though our own hard work in our recycling businesses. We have a little in reserve to ensure that we can survive an emergency, however, no one saw this virus coming!

“Our reserves have ensured that we can keep a roof over our heads, food on our table and the bills paid but, we have had to ‘cut our cloth’ to suit the reduction in income.

This wonderful gift from Bovis Homes will be used to reinstate some of the non-essential items that make the lives of those companions who live with us more pleasurable.”

Emmaus Bolton provides a home, meaningful work, training and support to people who have experienced homelessness or social exclusion. The majority of funds needed to support the charity’s work are generated by selling second-hand furniture, kitchen appliances, household goods, plants and clothing in its social enterprise.

Find out more about the Emmaus Bolton charity and social enterprise. To find out more about Bovis Homes’ Hazelmere location and others nearby, visit www.bovishomes.co.uk.

Vital help for animals

THE Destitute Animal Shelter is a rescue charity dedicated to caring for the lost, stray and abandoned dogs and cats of the Bolton area. 

The charity has a non-destruction policy and is committed to reducing the unwanted cat and dog problem in this area by neutering every animal that they re-home.

They also deal with up to 2000 animals per year from across Bolton.

Fundraising volunteers are currently being sought after for the charity as well as volunteers to help the animals.

If you are interested in volunteering particularly with fund raising or building type work please contact Karen, Sue or Zoe at the shelter. 

Visit www.animalshelter.org.uk or call 01204 526486.

Horwich Harriers fancy dress fundraiser

MEMBERS of Horwich Harriers raised money for charity during lockdown.

Members did a sponsored run in fancy dress to raise money for Derian House and Bolton Hospice.

They raised £600 and will split the amount between the two charities.
Glynne Lever, chairman of Horwich Harriers, said: “The English Athletics Association gave us £1 for each of our members, the members chose to donate this to the charities. 

“The cash accompanied the money the group raised as they all ran a mile each in fancy dress.

“Adults and children got involved and I would like to say thanks to everyone for your support. 

“It was a great way to get us through lockdown.”

Are you fundraising for the charity and want to share your story? 
Get in touch to feature in The Bolton News by emailing our community content editor simone.okane@newsquest.co.uk.