CHARITIES and Community Groups in the Leominster area are being offered the opportunity to run a charity shop for a week to raise funds, promote activities and recruit volunteers.

Based on a model similar to the community shop in Kington – where groups regularly make £1,000 or more in a week – the High Street shop is now taking bookings to rent for a week at a time.

The venture has been set up by the Leominster-based charity Oaks, which provides nursery care and support for Leominster families, at the Honey Bees and Daisy Chains nurseries.

Pip Westwood, who has recently joined the Oaks team as fundraising and shop coordinator said: “ We are all really excited about this new project. I am sure local people will get behind us, supporting charities and community groups providing activities and services in their part of the county.

"We would be really grateful for donations, which can be dropped off at Honeybees Nursery, next to the Children’s Centre on Coningsby Road, Grange Court or the Leominster Bingo Hall during opening hours.

"We are also looking for donations of wool, material and craft materials for the upcycling group we will soon be setting up.”

Oaks will run the Oaks Community Shop one week a month for fundraising including offering second hand school uniforms for the 17 schools, within a 10-mile radius of Leominster.

The charity hopes to set up a community fund to help with the cost of things such as equipment for children with disabilities or travel cost to hospital and is offering volunteering opportunities.

The shop is due to open at the end of January although no date has been set yet.

To find out more or to book a week in the shop contact Pip Westwood on 01568 613274 or email pip.westwood@oakschildrensgroup.org.uk