FUNDRAISERS are celebrating the success of a new breed of charity shop, after receiving thousands of donations in its first year of operation.

Barnardo’s opened its special ‘donation centre’ in Brierley Hill last year, which, as well as serving as a traditional shop, also acts as a hub for the distribution of goods to other shops across the borough.

From its Moor Centre base, the shop has received about 1,200 bags of clothes, books, toys, games and accessories over the past 12 months, together with 6,000 hours of support from hardworking volunteers.

Carole Hughes, shop manager, said: “We wanted to arrange a special ‘thank-you’ for everyone who has worked so hard and achieved so much during our first year of trading.

“We have an amazing team of 19 volunteers aged from 14 to 66-years-old, who give anything from four to 24 hours of their own time each week in order to support the charity.

“Some were here on work experience and decided to stay with us afterwards, others simply wanted to get out of the house or gain more confidence. Some even use it as an opportunity to improve their English language skills.

“We also enjoy great support from the local community, including Brierley Hill Primary School, The Red Lion and Walter Smith who kindly host our green tubs for donations.”

To celebrate their first anniversary, the Barnardo’s team gathered together to cut a specially-decorated birthday cake.

Carole added: “We’ve had some very unusual donations during our first year - including a cuckoo clock which wouldn’t stop cuckooing, and a pair of German lederhosen shorts – but every donation is gratefully received.

“Thanks to people’s generosity we are able to raise much-needed funds to continue the charity’s work with some of the UK’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.”

For more information about the donation centre, which is open from 9am until 5.30pm Mondays to Saturdays, and 10am until 4pm on Sundays, call 01384 572772.