PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
We welcomed Pauline and Maureen who work voluntarily in the East Anglian Childrens Hospice Charity Shop in Long Stratton.
The Trust has 3 Hospices in Quidenham Norfolk, Milton Cambridge and Tree House Ipswich. They have 15 shops in East Anglia and the Long Stratton branch is one of the most successful.
They were asked why there was not a shop in Norwich and they said rents were very high and there were too many other competing charities.
The aim of the Charity is to help parents of children not expected to reach adulthood because of life threatening diseases often from birth. This help can be in parents own homes or at the Hospices themselves. They also offer bereavement counselling when the child dies - 478 last year under their care.
Everything they receive is processed and most of the clothes/linen if unsold after two weeks in the shop are sent for salvage.
We were told some amusing episodes of life in the shop.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge recently became their Patron.
A very interesting talk.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 13 November a 7.30pm in the Community Centre. This will be our Annual Meeting followed by entertainment afterwards.
Visitors are always welcome and if there any queries, please contact Veronica Brett, President on 01508 493029 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155.
Shirley Shackshaft
