There were balloons, banners and bunting aplenty at a charity shop in Poringland as staff and volunteers celebrate its first birthday.
As well as being able to browse for a bargain, customers of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) are being treated to cakes. A guess the name of a giant teddy bear competition is running and any children dropping by can pick up a free book.
The shop is on the doorstep of the nook, EACH’s new hospice that has been under construction since November 2017
Maria Hall, Shop Manager, said: “It’s been a great first year becoming part of the community here and I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who’s donated items and volunteered here over the 12 months. Excitingly, the nook is now close to opening and we hope people in the area continue shopping here to support our service caring for children and young people with life-threatening conditions, and supporting their families.”
The shop, in Overtons Way, is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. Chartered surveyor Ben Du Brow cut the ribbon last year. He was one of three vendors of the land EACH bought to build the nook – and he very generously donated all his share back.
EACH shops are always in need of donations of the following clean and good-quality items to sell: clothing, bric-a-brac, modern paperbacks, toys, jewellery, DVDs/CDs, household linens, retro and vintage clothes, and small electrical items.
EACH also needs donations of good-quality furniture and can collect it free of charge if you are unable to transport it yourself. You can contact the charity’s Retail Distribution Centre on 01842 821620 for more information.
Anyone interested in more information on volunteering at the Poringland shop can drop by for a chat, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01603 984498.
Jessica Bingham, seven years old, a pupil at Poringland Primary School, has run her first marathon throughout the month of May for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
During May Jess decided she would run one mile each day for 26 days. She decided to take on the challenge for EACH after discovering the impact the COVID-19 outbreak was having on its income. With the charity’s 43 shops across the region closed, a select few of which are set to reopen on 15 June, and fundraising events postponed or cancelled, EACH has lost a significant amount of income.
Jess already had some knowledge of the good cause, as a pupil of Poringland Primary. The school supported EACH through the Nook schools project to help raise funds for The Nook, a new purpose-built children’s hospice in the heart of Norfolk that opened last year.
Jess described on her JustGiving page herethat The Nook “is a wonderful part of the local community”. She said: “I just want to help other children and families a little bit if I can and this will help me to keep running.”
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is benefiting from not having to pay rent on several of its shops in Norfolk over the next few months, thanks to the generosity of supportive landlords.
EACH has 43 shops across the region, but had to close them in March in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. That, combined with supporters’ fundraising activities and their own events having to be cancelled, prompted the charity to appeal for financial support across a wide range of service providers that included landlords.
Among the landlords to have provided a boost are Stephen and Carol Sell, from Gissing, two of three co-owners of the property occupied by EACH in Norwich Road, Long Stratton. They, as well as the third co-owner, have given their tenant a six-month rent-free period.
Stephen said: “EACH is a charity that provides such a wonderful service to the children of East Anglia, so at such a difficult time we’re pleased to help them in a small way to continue their good work.”
At a time of such little good news, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is thrilled to announce that all its hospices have been rated ‘outstanding’ following Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections in January.
Tracy Rennie, EACH Acting Chief Executive, said: “I’m so proud of all our staff and volunteers. Everyone has a part to play in making sure children and families get the care they need. It’s not only the care staff, but everyone who contributes to make EACH the organisation it is. This huge achievement is testament to their commitment to be the best in all they do and I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly thank them.
“This has been wonderful news to receive in uncertain times. To protect the vulnerable children who use our service and to reduce the spread of the virus, we’ve suspended some of the care we offer. Short-break care and wellbeing therapies, wellbeing groups and events, face-to-face counselling, care of the child’s body after they have died and our Help at Home volunteering service have all been stopped. Visitors to the hospices are restricted so that only the parents or main carers of children receiving care can enter.”
A charity is pledging to continue caring for all the clothes people throw away as part of their winter clear-out, so it can continue caring for the region’s most vulnerable children and their families.
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is running its Bag It, Bring It, Boost It donation drive to help ensure high levels of stock heading into a year when the charity hopes for £5 million income from its shops. EACH currently needs around 7,500 bags of donations a week to keep its retail operation running.
A company from Norwich has already pledged its support of the campaign and filled 25 giant sacks. Staff of SG Wealth Management have contributed clothes, books, DVDs, toys, bric-a-brac and more.
A North Norfolk family business that comprises supermarkets, builders’ merchants and an exceptional department store is set to celebrate its 250th anniversary.
CT Baker Group was established in 1770 and members of the Baker family have been working in and leading the company ever since. To mark its major milestone, the company is planning a bumper year of fundraising and hopes to raise £25,000 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Staff have organised activities to take place throughout the anniversary year and a special commemorative range of gifts will be available for customers to purchase in-store and online. A percentage of all sales will be donated to EACH.