Martin House, which provides family-led care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, is opening a shop in Fishergate, Ripon.
The opening later this summer, at large premises formerly occupied by an opticians, follows a challenging period when the charity suffered the double blow of having to temporarily close its 12 existing shops in Yorkshire and cancel major fundraising events.
Both revenue streams were affected by the covid crisis and Martin House expects to lose £2.2 million in planned income in the next 12 months.
Stephanie Rimmington, the head of retail for the charity, said:
“The income we get from our shops is vital to helping Martin House raise the money we need to care for families in this area.”
The premises in Fishergate, Ripon, where Martin House is opening a new shop
The charity, whose work involves support for families from across North, West and East Yorkshire, has a hospice at Boston Spa and works in the community.
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Among the fundraising events affected by the coronavirus crisis was a coffee morning planned by Joyce Liggins, who arranged the event to thank Martin House for the help and care they had given a few years ago to friends who lost a baby at just 36 hours old.
Mrs Liggins, who lives in Pateley Bridge, said social distancing requirements meant she could not go ahead with the fundraiser but she found a way to raise money regardless:
“I decided to hold three virtual coffee mornings on the first Saturday of May, June and July and asked people to have a cuppa on the Saturday morning and donate to my JustGiving page. My target was £500 and to date the total is an amazing £1250.”
She added:
“As I was also unable to hold the usual tombola, I said that after the final coffee morning I would put everyone’s name who had donated into a draw and held the draw on Zoom. The winners were drawn out live in London by Helen Worth, who plays Gail on Coronation Street.
“We were joined on Zoom by some of those who had donated, including our friends who had lost their baby. They are parents once more with a daughter who is two weeks old.”
The JustGiving page is still open if anyone would like to donate they can send it to: justgiving.com/fundraising/Joyce-Liggins.
