Volunteer appeal as Oxfam prepares for incoming donations

Oxfam, on Church Street in Helmsley is bracing for a significant number of donations following lockdown decluttering, combined with people seeking to offload unwanted Christmas gifts.

More volunteers are needed to help sort and sell the donations in order to raise as much money as possible for Oxfam’s vital work around the world.

Last year, Oxfam shops raised more than £17.4m after costs for helping people survive humanitarian emergencies.

The shops typically rely on teams of dedicated volunteers who give as little as a few hours a week of their time and can take up a range of vital roles, from serving customers to sorting donations and arranging window displays.

As well as volunteers, Oxfam’s stores are also appealing for good quality donations, including clothing, books, music and bric-a-brac.

“This shop is a much-loved part of the community, and we’re thrilled to be open again,” said Heather Milner, shop manager at the Helmsley branch.

“We have really missed seeing our customers and volunteers – it’s fantastic to be able to welcome them back again. I know that many of us have been busy decluttering under lockdown and we’re really excited about receiving any donations.”

Shop teams continue to implement strict Covid-19 protocol, including social distancing, readily available hand sanitiser, masks and gloves for staff, screens at tills, regular and frequent cleaning, closed changing rooms and encouraging contactless payment.

Heather added: “By donating to, shopping in or volunteering with Oxfam, people will be helping us to respond to Covid-19 around the world, providing vital support such as hand washing facilities, clean water, toilets and soap in the most vulnerable communities.”

The Helmsley Oxfam shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm.

People are invited to register their interest in volunteering online by visiting https://actions.oxfam.org/great-britain/shop-volunteering/register-interest or call 01439 772394.