A CHARITY shop held a celebration to mark ten years of trade.

St Luke’s Hospice charity shop in Corringham celebrated a decade of business, with staff, volunteers, customers and friends.

The guest of honour was mayoress of Thurrock Barbara Rice who cut the cake and drew the raffle, which raised just over £200 for the hospice.

The shop was opened 10 years ago by then mayor, councillor John Everitt.

Anne Danyali has managed the shop since it opened in in August 2008.

She said: “It’s our customers, volunteers and people who donate items for sale who have really made being in this shop such a pleasure.

“It’s such a friendly place and a real community hub with people of all ages calling in.

“Hardly a day goes past without someone saying that they know someone or have known someone who the hospice has looked after and it is always followed by them saying – ‘I don’t know what we would have done had the hospice not been there’ – That for me has been my inspiration on days when the going is tough

St Luke’s Corringham shop is one of ten charity shops run by the hospice located throughout Basildon and Thurrock.

Income from the shops help towards the £15,207 a day the Hospice needs to raise to keep services running.

Visit https://stlukeshospice.com/ for more information and how to become involved.