Cosham charity shops celebrates 21 years trading

The Naomi House and Jacksplace store, on Cosham high street, opened on this day in 1996 and volunteers put on a day-long party to celebrate the anniversary.

The shop itself opened six months before the Winchester hospice, which celebrates 21 years on June 27 next year, and was raising money to help develop the building.

Since then, the cash raised from the shop has helped the equivalent to 1,144 families using the hospice.

Mary Ramsay has been volunteering in the shop since it opened. She said: ‘It is so good the shop is still here, in its original spot. It is going from strength to strength.

‘There is a lovely atmosphere to the shop and we have been able to sell things for a good price while remaining competitive and raising thousands for the hospice.’

Mary said over the past 21 years, the shop has not changed much.

‘It is still pretty much the same with the same ethos and dedication to the hospice,’ she said.

‘I first started with a friend and in a few weeks we raised £12,000 towards the building of the hospice.

‘Since then, I have always wanted to help.’

To mark the celebration, on Tuesday the shop had balloons in the window and a cake.

They also invited long-standing volunteers to the shop and regular customers who have donated over the years.

Naomi House and Jacksplace cares for children across Portsmouth and the south coast with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses. It offers respite, emergency and end-of-life care.

The hospice relies on fundraising events and its charity shops to continue to provide its services for the 157 children and 92 young adults it cares for. It needs £7m a year.