Kindness shop gives huge boost to Cumbrian charities

Cumbrian charities have received a huge boost thanks to a new shop that rewards kindness.

Since it opened last week, The Kinder Shop in Carlisle and Kendal has donated over 1100 hours of volunteering to charities.

The unique store offers people the chance to pay for luxury items by volunteering a suggested number of hours.

Garden furniture, hampers, toys and children’s bikes could all be ‘bought’ by people pledging to put some time into supporting local groups.

Charities benefiting from the donated hours are as follows.

Cumbria Deaf Association has been given 89 hours of help, which includes deaf awareness courses for volunteers.

Eden Valley Hospice has received 132 hours to help marshall their torchlight procession to the cathedral for Carlisle’s city of lights in October

And, Oak Tree Animals’ Charity will benefit from over 200 hours of volunteer support with their summer fair and helping to clean and maintain their animal shelter.

Other charities benefiting from the donated hours included West Cumbria Hospice at Home, Shelter, the British Heart Foundation and Anti Racist Cumbria.

Caroline Howsley, general manager of Cumbria Deaf Association, was delighted to gain some new volunteers – a welcome boost for the charity which has been knocked recently by a burglary and vandalism at its offices.

She said: “It is harder these days to find volunteers because everyone feels so short of time. So, to have something like The Kinder Shop really encourages people to come and look at different ways of volunteering and it means they are getting something back for their time,” she said.

The shop was also visited by Carlisle mayor, Mike Mitchelson, who praised the project. He said: “Anything that highlights local charities and encourages more people to get involved with volunteering has to be a good thing. I think it is an excellent idea,” he said.

His wife, Anne, ‘bought’ items including a novelty duck doorstop and will be paying for them by volunteering at Oak Tree.

The Cumberland Building Society is funding the project as part of its campaign to promote kindness.

Phil Ward, brand manager with The Cumberland, said: “It has been humbling to see how people have responded to this idea and given their time so generously.

“We wanted to show what a difference kindness can make in the community and the people of Carlisle have responded magnificently.”