CLAIRE House Children’s Hospice opened its new Ellesmere Port shop last week, with the help of a very special toddler.
Two-year-old Millie Simpson, from Ellesmere Port, who has brittle bones, officially opened the new Claire House shop on Rivington Road at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, surrounded by her family.
Millie was born with 30 broken bones and continues to suffer from a severe form of brittle bone disease, meaning even the tiniest knock can have devastating effects on her fragile body.
The little girl has been recently accessing the services of Claire House for respite and was invited to be the guest of honour at the opening of the store, which is the former Woolworth’s shop.
It is the charity’s second shop that is dedicated to selling furniture and white goods, as well as clothes and bric-a-brac, creating two paid jobs for local people, as well as a number of volunteering opportunities.
The shop has now been open a week and has already seen phenomenal success, meaning more high-quality furniture donations are already needed to replenish the stock.
Simon Dodd, head of retail at Claire House, said; “Already, local residents in Ellesmere Port have got behind the new shop and we had a great turnout to watch Millie cut the ribbon.
“The shop’s first week has been a huge success but we’re still in desperate need of great quality furniture and electrical goods to sell in the shop and keep up the amazing support we’ve had so far.
“I’ve no doubt the community will get behind the new shop and ensure its success, not just for the next week, but for many years to come.”
For more information on donating to a Claire House shop, please call 0151 346 2965 or visit www.claire-house.org.uk/go-shopping.
