A COUNTRY hotel’s facelift has had discerning shoppers checking in to the region’s latest charity shop.
A huge donation of furniture, fixtures and fittings from Headlam Hall Country Hotel and Spa proved to be the perfect haul as St Teresa’s Hospice opened its latest venture in the North Yorkshire market town of Thirsk.
The four-star hotel, spa and golf course, between Barnard Castle and Darlington, recently underwent a major refurbishment of its 38 bedrooms, restaurant, lounges and bar.
The two-month renovation, by a 40-strong army of tradesmen, saw the hall fittings relocated and sorted in two huge grain stores – and to fit in with the makeover much of the furniture was deemed surplus to the hotel’s new requirements.
A vast array of furnishings, from chairs, tables and settees to lights, mirrors and pictures, were donated to St Teresa’s Hospice for its popular charity shops St T’s.
Teams of volunteers collected, sorted and spruced up the cache, much of which ended up stocking the newly opened St T in Thirsk Market Place.
Each piece has been itemised and so far sales of the furnishings have raised more than £8,200 for the hospice, which serves Darlington, South West Durham and North Yorkshire.
Headlam Hall managing director Thomas Robinson said: “We could have sent it to the salesroom but this only realises a fraction of its worth, whereas the hospice will ensure it maximises its return for a very good cause.
“We have supported the hospice for many years and hosted a variety of events in aid of St Teresa’s. We are delighted to have been of service and the timing for the Thirsk launch could not have been better.”
Hospice chief executive Jane Bradshaw said: “Our shops have a much more retail and commercial feel than is often associated with charity ventures and that is down to the quality of the goods that end up on our shelves.
“Headlam Hall provided us with some fantastic material which we were proud to offer to the public. The fact it has sold so readily and raised so much is testament to the incredible relationships we have with our donors.”
St Teresa’s Hospice’s shops provide a significant proportion of the charity’s annual operating costs of £2.2m which provide peerless care to patients and their families.
For more information on the work of the hospice, including the shops, donations, services, volunteering and fundraising, visit www.darlingtonhospice.org.uk.