A LOCAL charity has opened a shop in the place of a popular craft store.

Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland hosted its official launch on Friday, after they took the place of the old Happy Puppy store.

Staff and volunteers from the charity were joined by the county’s crime commissioner, Peter McCall, as well as members of the local community.

The new shop will sell bric-a-brac, household furniture, clothes and gifts.

Opening hours for the new shop will be 10am until 4pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and Wednesday and Saturday between 10am and 1pm.

Between 30 and 40 people turned out to welcome the new shop.

Fundraising and marketing assistant at the charity, Cara Vardy, said: “It was a great opening. Pete (McCall) came and opened the shop and gave a marvellous talk, saying how he is from Wigton .

“We had some wonderful volunteers there who will be helping in the shop, we had Fiona Stobart (chief executive for Hospice at Home) there to cut the ribbon, Edna Graham who set up the shop was there, it was amazing.

“Edna has always done pop-up shops for us. She knows the area really well.

“She said she thought it would be the perfect place. It’s helpful to have somebody from Wigton to help us.”

Julie Blundell, head of income generation and marketing from the charity, said: “It simply wouldn’t be possible for Hospice at Home to deliver vital care and support free of charge to patients in the Wigton community, without the kindness and generosity we continue to receive from volunteers, donors and local businesses.

“Huge thanks owed to Edna Graham and our Wigton shop volunteers.”

The charity needs to raise £18,000 a week to continue to provide its service.

Hospice at Home covers an area of 1,500 sq metres, covering everywhere from the Scottish Borders to Stainmore and Allonby to Alston.

The Flag Day, which accompanied the launch on Friday, raised more than £500 for the charity.

To find out more about the charity, or to donate, visit www.hospiceathome.co.uk.

Anyone interested in raising funds or volunteering should contact the Hospice at Home Fundraising Office, on 01768 210719.