CLAN Cancer Support is appealing for individuals of all ages to help volunteer in its Ballater shop.
The charity shop in the Deeside town, which is open Monday to Saturday every week, is an important source of income that helps ensure CLAN provides a host of free services locally to anyone affected by cancer.
Renowned for the quality of goods on sale, including an extensive range of men and women’s clothing, household items, books and DVDs, the success of the shop owes a lot to the time and dedication of its volunteers
And now the charity is looking to increase it pool of shop volunteers to enable it to continue to be a success in the coming months.
Alison Hodgetts, shop manager and client support assistant at CLAN’s Ballater shop, said: “We simply couldn’t run our shop without the support of a dedicated team of volunteers. Each of our volunteers usually offer around three hours per week to help with various jobs in the shop, often serving customers and keeping the shop stocked up with donations.
“We have a great team here in Ballater and most importantly we have a lot of fun. However, as our shop donations have increased in the last few years, so has our need for volunteers so we’re asking anyone with time to spare to consider volunteering with the charity.”
CLAN Cancer Support has been providing free services to anyone affected by cancer for over 30 years and currently enlists the help of over 400 volunteers across the north and north-east of Scotland, giving in excess of 40,000 hours of support to the charity per year.
Joss Atkin, a current shop volunteer in the Ballater shop, said: “What I enjoy most about volunteering with CLAN is the feeling that I’m putting something back into the community. It’s also a great opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills. It’s always a good laugh too!”
Anne Richardson, who has been volunteering regularly with CLAN in Ballater for more than eight years, added: “I really enjoy the social aspect, meeting locals, tourists and visitors and knowing you are helping a local charity.”
For further information about volunteering with CLAN’s Ballater shop, please call 01339 756318 or drop in past the shop to pick up an application form. Further details can also be found at www.clanhouse.org
CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness.
Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Elgin, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Lossiemouth, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Turriff, Kirkwall and Lerwick.
For further information about CLAN Cancer Support please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org