Shoppers have been filling their bags with quality bargains after Ashgate Hospice opened its new store to a North Derbyshire village. 

The charity has opened its 18th store to supporters in Parkside Shopping Centre, Killamarsh.

The hospice, which cares for patients across North Derbyshire, has taken over the unit formerly home to Barnardo’s after the children’s charity moved into a larger space. 

Three new jobs have been created and the shop is appealing for new volunteers to join its team to help with the running of the shop. 

Sales and donations will support patients and families with a palliative or end of life condition across Killamarsh and beyond.  

Michelle Grosse, Retail Area Manager at Ashgate Hospice, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to be extending our retail network and opening our 18th shop in the lovely village of Killamarsh. 

“Not only will shoppers who come to see us at the new store get their pick of plenty of bargains, but they’ll be helping to fund care for people in Killamarsh and beyond. 

“If you’re living in the area and think you’d like to come and volunteer a few hours a week in the shop please get in touch.  

“Volunteering at Ashgate is a great way to meet new people and learn new skills whilst directly giving back to your local community.  

“We’re really pleased to have opened the shop and we hope you’ll pop in and see us soon!” 

The shop will be open Monday to Friday 9.00am – 4.30pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm 

The charity says good quality pre-loved clothes, books, games and other items are on sale – and donations are welcome. 

Shoppers who support the new store in Killamarsh will be helping to raise the £9 million needed to pay for the hospice’s care across North Derbyshire – as only a third of its services are funded by central Government.  

Around 200 patients living in the Killamarsh area accessed the hospice’s services over the past five years – from clinical care at home or at its Inpatient Unit to occupational support and physiotherapy. 

Among those families are Graham Matthews’, whose wife of 45 years Diane was cared for on the hospice’s Inpatient Unit before she died in March 2021, aged 65. 

The hospice allowed Diane and her family to make special memories after she had been diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare degenerative neurological condition similar to Motor Neurone Disease.  

Graham, from Killamarsh, is immensely grateful to the support of the hospice for the “warm and compassionate” care it gave to Diane and his family.    

He said: “Towards the end of Diane’s life, she wasn’t expected to carry on, but I’m convinced the support of the Ashgate team kept her going.   

“I remember just being able to sit and spend time with Diane was so special.  

“As a family, we would do anything we could to support Ashgate. Without the care of the amazing staff and volunteers, I don’t know what we would’ve have done.” 

If you would like more information about volunteering at our Killamarsh shop, read more about the role on our website.