By Bejay Browne
A FIFTH charity shop in support of the Archangel Michael hospice will officially open its doors in Paphos on Monday.
The shop in Peyia is operating since Thursday, manager Barbara Newman said, but will have its official launch on Monday at 6pm.
Although this is the fifth of the hospice’s shops to open in the district, it differs from the rest, as its styled more as a boutique, said Newman who joined the cause less than a month ago.
“I found a shop in Peyia and asked my friends and people I know to clear out their wardrobes. Everything was stored at my house until we opened. We are only going to offer quality items,” she said.
After two decades of struggle, the Archangel Michael hospice in Mesa Chorio finally opened in June and is officially able to take patients.
The hospice aims to offer free hospice and palliative care to all in need regardless of their religious belief (or no belief), nationality or the nature of the illness.
This will include people with cancer and other serious illnesses, such as motor neuron disease, and end-stage respiratory and kidney disease.
Newman said that boutique style shops were the way forward for charity shops. “The hospice is lovely, bright and airy and I wanted that to be reflected in this shop, which it is. It also smells nice when you enter, which I think is very important.”
She said that she met Tony Ambrose, the chairman of the hospice shops, and Gina Ghillyer, the shop co-ordinator to share her ideas and promoted the aim that a new shop should have the edge and be competitive.
The volunteer said that many would-be shoppers can be put off by the ‘musty’ smells which are present in so many charity shops and was determined to make this one completely different.
“I have to say a big thank you to a business called ‘Focal Point’, who have built and donated wardrobes, a kitchen and a desk which are all beautiful, and all done after I only asked for bits and pieces of wood.”
With a car park across the street the shop has only been open a matter of days and has already made €400, she said.
Archangel Michael hospice also has four other shops across Paphos (they all operate under the title of Saint Michael hospice shops) which have been open for some time. These are found in Polemi. Geroskipou, Kato Paphos, another one is close to Dasoudi Park in Paphos and a sixth one is planned to open opposite E and S in Paphos in a couple of weeks’ time, she said.
The new Peyia shop offers clothing for children, women and men, shoes, bags, hats and scarves, as well as carefully selected ornaments and knick knacks. They are also looking for more volunteers to join the nine already in place.
“Ideally, I would like to have two people serving in the shop at any time. If we could get 20 volunteers with a few willing to provide holiday cover that would be great. The idea is to never have to close the shop. We want to raise as much possible for this brilliant cause.”
According to Archangel Michael hospice manager, Mona Skordi, the hospice has cost over €2 million to date, and is expected to cost around €300,000 a year to operate, which includes staff salaries, medication and running expenses. Of the nine rooms, two are also licensed for use by children if required. The facility also has a cafeteria, a conference room, a chapel, reception and an office.
The hospice is the second one to open in the area: the Friends hospice in Paphos first opened in 2006 and is financed almost completely by fund raising events, income from their charity shops and donations. The hospice also provides palliative and respite care for people suffering with life-limiting illnesses, and their families. It is housed in a dedicated six bed wing at St. George’s Polyclinic in Paphos.
Saint Michael’s hospice Peyia shop official opening will be on August 17 at 6pm.
Barbara Newman (M): 97793418
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Michaels-Hospice-Charity-Shop/1594074067520761?fref=ts
