Oxfam’s Lanark store has issued an urgent appeal for volunteers to help keeps its doors open.
Without enough volunteers to help sort and sell the generous donations it receives, Shop Manager Amanda Sneddon says she will have no choice but to reduce the store’s opening hours, resulting in less money being raised for Oxfam’s lifesaving work around the world.
Amanda says she needs many more sets of helping hands to keep the store running smoothly.
Amanda said: “Money raised by Oxfam’s Scottish shops – including by the Lanark store – has never been more urgently needed.
“Everyone will have seen on the news that the conflict in Gaza continues to take a devastating toll on civilians: people who survive the relentless airstrikes are living in overcrowded shelters, in tents, on the streets with little food or clean water. Right now, Oxfam is working with partners in Gaza to help provide emergency food, clean water and hygiene kits to people who desperately need it.
“When crises such as Gaza unfold it’s easy to feel helpless, but by volunteering your time with Oxfam, you’re playing your small part to help build a better world, free from injustice and poverty.”
Volunteers are asked to 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 to listing items for sale online.
Shop Manager Amanda says another key volunteer role is helping to arrange the shop’s famed window displays, with the current shop window giving an eye-catching nod to the upcoming production of The Wedding Singer, being performed at Lanark Memorial Hall from 21st March.
As well as volunteers, Oxfam’s Lanark store is also appealing for good quality donations, including clothing, books, music and bric-a-brac.
The store team is urging people interested in volunteering to visit the Oxfam website: oxfam.org.uk/jointheteam or to pop into the shop to find out more.
/ENDS
For more information please contact: Rebecca Lozza, Oxfam Media and Communications Adviser, Scotland and Wales: rlozza1@oxfam.org.uk / 07917738450