HOSPICE at Home Brampton book shop volunteers enjoyed a special event on Saturday, October 29.

Volunteers celebrated the book shop's first year of business and also Hospice at Home's 25 year anniversary.

The occasion included a visit by Elizabeth Leeming, charity president, to celebrate the achievements.

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The occasion took place in the Moot Hall with volunteers and staff.

Elizabeth thanked volunteers for their time, commitment and kindness to ensure the book shop had a successful first year in business and continues to be an important awareness hub on the high street for the charity.

Elizabeth thanked retiring CEO, Fiona Stobart, and new CEO, Debbie Mckenna, for their passion and inspiration and shop manager, Jane McDonnell - who is based at the Carlisle Hospice at Home Shop - and Jill Raine, assistant shop manager, for their commitment.

An anniversary cake, made by Debra Warburton, was decorated with sunflowers, which is the emblem of Hospice Care in the UK. It was cut by volunteers, Cags Cousins and Mary Egerton.

More than 40 volunteers give their time in the shop, previously managed by Eden Valley Hospice.

When the decision was made to close the shop during the pandemic, Hospice at Home were keen to re-establish it.

Local volunteers Cags Cousins, Mary Egerton and Sally Nelson were the driving force and inspiration behind this and the shop welcomed old and new volunteers to their team.

The shop is open six days a week, selling a selection of high-quality books and jigsaws and is currently selling Christmas cards, diaries and advent calendars.

Special local images such as Moot Hall and Talkin Tarn are within the selection.

The shop is a treasure trove for book lovers and has visitors both locally and from further afield who visit regularly. 

The volunteers look forward to raising further awareness of the cause and to the next year of business, when they can raise further funds to ensure Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland can continue to provide end of life care in the home, whilst supporting local families and carers.