Staff, volunteers and members of the business community have been thanked and praised after salvaging donations and clearing up a flooded charity shop. The East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) store in Framlingham was struck by a deluge of water following heavy rain in late October.
Although the shop floor was untouched, the sorting room was badly affected and many donations were lost in the process. The team faced a battle to remove damaged stock and equipment, sanitise the shop and allow it to dry out before being able to reopen.
“It was an emotional week and some of our volunteers also had damage to their homes,” said EACH Area Retail Manager Emma Manning.
“However, as is often the case at times like this, staff and volunteers rallied together and it was an absolutely sterling effort from the shop management team of Beverley Ranshaw and Cheryl Colgate. Although the shop floor was untouched, we had to use it as a temporary storage area while we cleared the sorting room.
“It was a case of all hands on deck and I’m so thankful to the incredible staff and amazing volunteers who came together to help and support us. As well as pitching in to help with the clean-up operation, they answered our pleas for dehumidifiers and somehow managed to get the shop ready to trade again just a week after the flood.
“Family and friends of the shop team also stepped up to help us and our sincere thanks go to them, too.”
Emma said she was grateful to generous members of the local business community.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to Framlingham Fish Shop, which donated sausage and chips to all the team salvaging donations during the aftermath, and East Suffolk Council, for kindly taking away all our flood-damaged equipment and stock at no charge,” she said. “It saved us having to get a skip in.
“Likewise Peter Hall Flooring, at Wickham Market, for kindly donating replacement carpet tiles for our office. The whole town has shown real community spirit.”
EACH’s Framlingham shop is in Bridge Street. To find out more about volunteering there, pop in and speak to a member of the team, email Beverly.Ranshaw@each.org.uk or call 01728 621436.
