"It is good to see that a local charity dedicated to serving the people of Tameside and Glossop has been able to show signs of recovery and bounce back in this difficult fundraising and trading climate"
Martin Blaylock
Martin Blaylock of Tameside law firm Bromleys has paved the way for Willow Wood Hospice to open its latest shop.
Willow Wood’s eighth hospice shop is in Mossley, Greater Manchester, and sells a mix of pre-loved items including clothing, shoes, bags and toys.
Martin, an associate solicitor in Bromleys’ corporate and commercial services department, advised Willow Wood on the terms of its lease for the premises on Arundel Street to ensure it was commercially acceptable.
He said: “It is good to see that a local charity dedicated to serving the people of Tameside and Glossop has been able to show signs of recovery and bounce back in this difficult fundraising and trading climate with the opening of a new shop, which is its first in Mossley.
“We hope that, in advising Willow Wood on the terms of the lease, we have helped to protect the charity’s interests and enable it to continue its fantastic fundraising efforts to support people in need in Tameside and Glossop.”
Willow Wood’s other shops are in Ashton-under-Lyne, Denton, Glossop, Hyde and Stalybridge. Each has a paid manager who is supported by a team of volunteers.
The Mossley branch is managed by Julie Wilson and is open from 9.30am to 4pm from Monday to Saturday inclusive.
Julie said more volunteers were needed to help in the charity’s shops.
“Volunteers help us both behind the counter and behind the scenes,” she said.
“There are a number of different roles available, from sorting and pricing goods to window dressing and working on the till, so if anyone would like to support us by volunteering just pop in and see me.
“We can organise a ‘taster’ session with no obligation to take it further if you decide it’s not for you, and we provide training and PPE. Volunteering in our shops is not just a great way to help your local hospice, but it’s also a great way to meet new people and become part of our friendly team.”
For more information on volunteering, or to apply online, visit www.willowwood.info.
Willow Wood Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne provides specialist care for adults with life-limiting illnesses across Tameside and Glossop. It has a 12-bed in-patient unit for palliative and end-of-life care, while its day services START (Support, Treatment, Assessment, Rehabilitation and Therapy) Clinic provides assessments and treatment for people with a life-limiting diagnosis.
The hospice, which opened in 1999, makes no charge for any of its care services and has running costs of £7,650 a day.
Bromleys has close links with the hospice, having undertaken a number of fundraising activities in recent years, including taking part in charity bike rides and passing on all of its fees for wills drawn up or amended by its lawyers during Willow Wood’s Wills Week campaigns.
Pictured left to right are Martin Blaylock, hospice shop volunteer Helen Marshall and manager Julie Wilson.
