A DEDICATED charity shop manager has left her position after seventeen years at a ‘delightful’ charity shop.

Annie Pratt worked at Annie’s Charity Shop for the best part of seventeen years, she started out as a volunteer after being made redundant from the British Red Cross.

The British Red Cross has been helping millions of people in the UK and around the world get the support they need when crisis strikes.

Annie's Charity Shop, which can be found on Elmwood Parade in Winklebury offers quality, affordable stock for all customers who walk in the door.

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Stock in the shop is constantly changing because every item is physically brought into them.

The money raised from the sale of items contributes to helping both orphans and widows overseas who have been subject to famine, poverty and abuse.

Annie said: “When I first started there were only about three of us, but we did manage to build the volunteers up to about 30.

“Over the years I really enjoy the customer-facing role and however much of a bad day you were having you know you are always doing it for a good cause, the shop really does have some lovely customers."

Annie said the charity shop team is like a “family” who she will dearly miss.

She added: “We all work hard, and we take a lot of pride in what we are doing.

“I will miss the contact with people who always manage to lift your spirits during the day.”

Annie, who lives in Basingstoke, started out working as a volunteer for the shop in 2005 before taking on a paid position as the shop's manager.

The charity shop is always on the hunt for volunteers.

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Annie said after the Covid-19 pandemic hit she felt it was the right time for her to leave and let someone 'fresh' take over the role.

Annie's sells a diverse range of products for all to enjoy including clothing, books, bric-a-brac, photo frames, household items, children's toys and small items of furniture.

For more information about the shop, visit: www.facebook.com/annieswinklebury.

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