CHARITIES across Worcestershire are delighted to be re-opening their shops and resuming regular services.

Charity shops in Worcester, Malvern and Evesham have been welcoming bac customers all week after the government’s lockdown restrictions were eased.

Jane Redman, Worcestershire spokesperson for Cancer Research UK, said: “We’re so excited to see more of our shops reopening this week and are enjoying welcoming back our staff, volunteers and customers.

“We are happily accepting donations as usual in our shops that are open. We’re hoping our supporters have used any spare time during lockdown to declutter and set aside quality items for us.

“Following the ease of restrictions in 2020, the volume of donations we received was up by 31% when compared to the same period the previous year, which was fantastic and we hope we’ll see something similar again.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming back as many of our volunteers as possible. Their welfare is paramount to us, which is why we’re following government advice and conducting risk assessments to help determine who can help us to reopen our shops safely.

“Cancer Research UK relies on the generosity of the public to fund our life-saving research so we’re grateful for all donations and to everyone who volunteers and shops with us.”

Dan Corns, Commercial Director for St Richard’s Hospice, said: “It feels fantastic to see all 18 of our shops reopen and safely welcoming in customers and donors. So far, it has been a very good week – and we enjoyed an exceptional day’s trading on Monday.

“Everyone visiting our stores has been supportive and respectful of the Covid secure measures in place, and we have received some lovely feedback from customers too.

“This is truly heartening, as we rely on our customers and donors to help raise much-needed funds for our hospice care to patients and loved ones across Worcestershire.

“I’d like to thank our staff and volunteers for their hard work reopening our stores, and our customers and donors for their fantastic support. With their help, we can continue providing free care to those who need us most.”

Meanwhile, in Malvern, Kay Coombes, clinical director of the Association for the Rehabilitation of Communication and Oral Skills, said: “ARCOS staff look forward to being able to resume having groups of children and provide days of respite for families of disabled children. ARCOS has remained open throughout the lockdowns but we have had to adapt and change our services.

“It has meant a drastic reduction in activities and cancellation of the monthly respite days that some of our families describe as a lifeline – because they can relax safe in the knowledge that their disabled child is being well looked after while having fun and spend time with other members of the family.”