Avon Valley Community Matters’ (AVCM) charity shop on Fordingbridge High Street has reached its first anniversary.

To celebrate its first birthday, the little shop was full to the brim on Wednesday, March 27 with trustees, staff, volunteers, friends, customers and many supporters - including the new Rector of Avon Valley Churches Reverend Luke Wickings, the Churches Together team, the Cottage Loaf (who made an amazing cake for the occasion), Avon Valley Men’s Shed and staff from other shops and businesses. Members of the Fordingbridge Surgery team also joined in the celebrations.

A long-held dream of the late Reverend Kate Wilson, in its opening year the charity shop became a successful community outreach centre, offering a safe, warm and welcoming space for nearby residents, as well as selling low-cost, “preloved” household items and clothing.

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Shop manager Laura Cowdery said: “We are thrilled to have so much local support. It is heart-warming to hear from so many how much our little shop is valued in the town.

"We look forward to many more years of success and continuing to support the charity and Kate’s dream of ‘reaching out to all’.’”

In the past year, the charity shop team has established relationships with the Foodbank and Salvation Army (offering a discreet voucher system for those in need), Acts4Sharing and more recently the Lover Baby Bank.

Locals and visitors continue to be extremely supportive by shopping and providing good quality donations, the proceeds of which go toward the charity’s many community outreach projects, including bereavement and miscarriage support groups, inclusive playgroups and free holiday activities for families.

People can find more information about AVCM or make a donation by clicking here.