Shop manager Lou Myers says the opportunity to make a difference was the driving factor in her decision to join East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
The 59-year-old leads the team at EACH’s store in Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge, and has been working for the organisation since October 2023.
Prior to that, she worked for retail giant Argos, from 2000, and was store manager until being made redundant in March 2020.
She then became a team supervisor at Wilko before leaving in September 2023.
That paved the way to her being appointed in Cherry Hinton Road, and she now relishes the opportunity to raise vital funds for EACH.
“I’d shopped in EACH stores before starting here and always liked the feel of them,” said Lou, who has a daughter and four grandchildren.
“Having spent such a long time in retail, I loved the idea of working in one and being able to make a difference to the children and families EACH supports.
“That’s what led to me working here, and I’ve felt supported from day one.
“Everyone’s so friendly and welcoming, and I love working for EACH.
“I’m a real people person and feel blessed to meet new customers every day. It means a lot and gives me a great deal of pleasure.
“I’ll always give people my time, and the fact they feel comfortable coming in, having conversations and spending their time and money with us, is amazing and a great feeling.”
Lou loves working with her volunteers but says she is always delighted to hear from anyone else interested in joining the team.
EACH has 54 shops across the region, including 11 in Cambridgeshire. There are three more in Cambridge, in Histon Road, Fitzroy Street and Milton Road, with other stores in Cherry Hinton, Ely, Huntingdon, March, Soham, St Ives and Whittlesey.
This year alone, EACH needs to raise £8 million from donations and fundraising activities and £9.8 million in retail income. Only 15% of its income comes from the government, county councils and the NHS.
