Steve Beasant

Yesterday, I spent the day volunteering at the local charity Community Chest; I helped out for the day in their charity which is appropriately called the ‘Home Shop’. 

The Charity was originally set up in 1991, by local Councillor Sue Smith (nee Constantine) who realised that there was a need within the area of Grimsby to provide items of furniture and household goods at affordable prices to the impoverished.

She collected donated items and sold them from her car boot, and Community Chest was born. A decade later and the registered charity still helps the same people that it was set up to support at the outset; however it is now going from strength to strength.  

Yesterday morning I arrived bright and early at 8.30 even before the General Manager of the Charity, Neil Cartwright. Neil is well respected by all of his volunteers; and from my own perspective it is a charity that’s well worthwhile giving up a few hours a week, and all for a good cause. 

The charity helps the community in a number of ways, and anyone who is on a state benefit who pops into the Home Shop will automatically get a discount of 50%. Providing they are able to prove that they are in receipt of the benefit, and also they able to secure by paying of with a small deposit and instalments.   

Perhaps the highlight of the day was trying to sell Gareth Gates’ Biography, ‘Talking Point’ to Alan Burley, our local Community Wardens, and a number of other people. In actual fact the charity has three copies; if you want one for yourself, don’t forget to get in touch? However, I could not even sell one – I just wonder why? 

If you would like to like to volunteer or make a donation to Community Chest visit their website NOW!