We want your unwanteds! And we can take them now! That’s the message from Trinity Hospice and Brian House Children’s Hospice, whose donation drop-off depot will re-open again on June 1st.

The hospice’s chain of fundraising shops will remain closed, in line with government regulations, but the Talbot Road depot will open at 9am on June 1st to accept good quality clothing, furniture, small electrical items, bric a brac, books and toys.

You can drive in and drop off – and every item will help re-stock Trinity’s shops and contribute towards hospice care right here on the Fylde Coast.

Trinity’s Head of Retail is Paul Guest, who said: “This is the day we have been waiting for. We need to get new stock in before we can re-open our shops and start generating income for the hospice once more.

“We have been contacted many times over recent weeks, by people with items to donate. Now I’m glad to say that our Talbot Road centre will be open for business from 9am til 4pm Monday to Saturday, and every item donated will help us get back on track. We would love to hear from any local companies with end of line or unwanted stock too – we can probably take it and turn it into patient care.”

The lockdown means that the hospice shops have missed out on thousands of donations. Every week the 17 shops would normally receive around 1,300 bags of donated goods. Each bag is worth an average of £40 at re-sale.

Paul said: “The Trinity and Brian House stores across the Fylde Coast bring in over £350,000 each year. Put into context, it’s enough to fund Trinity’s Day Therapy Centre for over a year, or to keep Brian House Children’s Hospice running for three months. Every pound raised by the shops stays here on the Fylde Coast, helping to care for local adults and children.”

With a long career in charity retail, Paul says the lockdown has been unprecedented.  “To have every shop closed for weeks is something we could not have anticipated or planned for. Ironically, of course, the lockdown happened just as the holiday season was starting. I would normally expect our Cleveleys, Blackpool, Lytham and St Annes stores to be packed with day trippers right now.

“For anyone in retail this has been a tough time and I really feel for our neighbours on the local high streets. Our decision to close came just three days before we planned to open new stores in Ansdell and Thornton, with all the work that entailed. Most of our shop managers have been on the government furlough scheme, and our wonderful army of volunteers has been staying at home.

“I can’t wait to welcome everyone back, but we must abide by government advice, which means that although our donation centre is opening, our shops won’t open until June 15th at the earliest.”

To watch Paul’s latest video message to supporters, click here

You can also help support Trinity by purchasing one of our retail gift cards. Find out more here.