Charity shop celebrates ‘amazing’ first year kick-started by star opening from ‘young Ed Sheeran’
Hugo Fairbanks Weston, who played Young Ed Sheeran in the Castle on the Hill music video, pictured opening the charity shop Picture: EACH - Credit: EACH
A Suffolk charity shop which was opened by the “young Ed Sheeran” is celebrating an “amazing” first year.
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) opened its Saxmundham outlet on August 31 last year when Hugo Fairbanks Weston, the Framlingham student who played Ed in the Castle on the Hill music video, cut the ribbon.
Hugo also spoke to customers and signed autographs at the opening where Ed’s fans were invited to buy from a selection of 10 items of clothing worn by the star, who is also an EACH ambassador.
Ed performed for the charity’s inaugural gala dinner the Natural History Museum in London – his only live appearance in 2016.
The selection of T-shirts, trainers and a pair of sunglasses helped the shop take £1,025 in its first hour-and-a-half of trading.
And EACH says it has gone from “strength to strength” since - thanks to “great support from the community”.
Michala Jones, EACH’s shop manager, said: “We’ve had an amazing year, exceeding our targets thanks to lots of donations from the community and plenty of help from volunteers.
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“To celebrate, one of my volunteers will be playing music on Friday, August 31 and there will also be cake and nibbles. In addition, all items will be buy one, get one free for the weekend.”
The charity has appealed for donations of “clean and good quality” goods, including clothes, bric-brac, books, toys, jewellery, DVDs and CDs to help it continue its successes into its second year.
Other welcome donations include household linens, retro and vintage clothes and small electrical items.
The charity is also in need of donations of quality furniture and will collect it free of charge from people who are unable to transport it themselves.
EACH says even seemingly small donations can help make a big difference. Clothing sold for £5 could help fund art therapy sessions; a £10 tea tray could fund a nursing care kit and a £20 jacket could pay for a siblings’ support group.
An item of good quality furniture, worth £35, could pay for an hour of specialist care.
The shop is also seeking volunteers.
Anyone interested in more information on volunteering at the Saxmundham shop, located at the Old Auction House in Fromus Square, should contact Ms Jones by emailing or calling 01728 633160.
