Church reopens Christmas charity shop

FESTIVE cards and gifts are back in stock at St Paul’s Cathedral’s Combined Charities Christmas Shop.

Running this year from offices next to the Myers Street church, the shop is selling items on consignment from a range of community initiatives and foundations.

Co-ordinator Barbara Simpson said customers have been keen to purchase since the shop opened two weeks ago.

“People have been marvellous. In the first couple of days, people came in and grabbed handfuls of cards,” she said.

“It was amazing and we said, ‘we’re going to run out of cards in no time’.”

Already proving popular are items from the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Kids with Cancer Foundation, and stock also includes cards from The Leprosy Mission, Scope, Bush Church Aid Society and more.

Ms Simpson said the shop sent “well over” $1000 back to The Leprosy Mission last year, and she enjoyed volunteering her time to give back to those in need at Christmas.

“It’s very fulfilling, it’s a great thing that you can do something for people. We try to do what we can for others,” she said.

The shop has been running for over 30 years and cathedral dean, the Very Reverend Elizabeth Dyke, said the church was continuing its community initiatives throughout the pandemic.

“We have been grateful to have received JobKeeper support to retain our Karen community worker and have continued to fundraise for community health campaigns both locally and overseas,” she said.

“The operation of the Combined Charities Christmas Shop continues our commitment to support communities in times of need.”

The shop is open from 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Friday and 10am to 1pm on Saturdays until 18 December.