Antiques expert gets show on the road at new pet charity shop

PRESS RELEASE

10 March 2010

Antiques expert gets show on the road at new pet charity shop

Staff at the Blue Cross animal charity’s new shop in Worcester will be polishing up their potentially priceless porcelain next week in anticipation of a visit from an antiques expert. Antiques Roadshow presenter and local resident Henry Sandon will be declaring the shop officially open on Tuesday 16 March at 11am.

Local people are welcome to come along and join the celebrations at the shop on18 Mealcheapen Street. Pop in and join the staff for a refreshments and a chat to find out more about The Blue Cross’s work, helping animals in need. Maybe you’ll even uncover your own antique find amongst the bargains and bric-a-brac!

Multi-talented Blue Cross shop manager Georgina Clarke will also be providing musical accompaniment to the festivities, busking on her violin. She said: “We’ve had a really warm welcome in Worcester and want to encourage as many people as possible to visit the shop. All the money we raise from the sale of items in the shops helps to look after the poorly and homeless pets in our care, so we’re always really grateful for donations. We’re hoping that Henry will give us some tips to spot those priceless antiques and help us raise even more money for needy animals!”

The Blue Cross receives no government funding, so relies on public donations to continue its vital work. All donations of saleable clothes, books and household items are gratefully received. Local businesses can also get involved to help The Blue Cross shop, which needs a large amount of stock to keep going. If companies ask their employees to bring in at least one quality item each on a given day, The Blue Cross would be happy to collect the donations. Just £20 will help keep an animal warm and comfortable while we find it a loving new home, so every little helps.

Any animal lovers with time to spare who are interested in joining the shop’s team of volunteers should pop into the shop at 18 Mealcheapen Street, Worcester, WR1 2DQ or call for a chat with Georgina on 01905 330 117.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Media are welcome to attend, please contact the press office.

Photos of the opening will be available after the event.

The Blue Cross shop in Worcester is the charity’s 15^th shop.

The nearest Blue Cross centre to Worcester is in Bromsgrove. Bromsgrove animal adoption centre was opened in 1986 and serves communities across the West Midlands, rehoming hundreds of cats and dogs every year from its modern facilities. To contact the centre call 0121 453 3130. The centre is open daily between 10.00am and 3.00pm except Thursday when the centre closes and 1.00pm and Sundays when it closes at 2.00pm.

The Blue Cross animal charity provides practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of small animal and equine adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees. 

For more information, please visit www.bluecross.org.uk.

Media contact

Sophia Khan, Blue Cross press office: 020 7932 4060 or sophia.khan@bluecross.org.uk