A West Cumbrian charity which is shutting its doors after 45 years has made an appeal for help as it closes its six charity shops and equipment store.
Age UK West Cumbria is being forced to close due to financial difficulties and will cease trading on May 31.
Its retail arm funded services and support for older people in West Cumbria.
Its six charity shops in Cleator Moor, Cockermouth, Egremont, Wigton, Workington and Whitehaven, plus its equipment shop in Workington, helped pay to deliver essential services to help people stay active, healthy, independent and involved in their communities.
Now, an appeal has been issued by Age UK West Cumbria Retail by Lee Gray.
They said: “If anyone has any job vacancies for retail managers, retail assistants or retail volunteers please could you contact me ASAP.
“Our retail staff have been with the company for many years. Their dedication and support for the organisation has been a great asset over the years. It would be sad to see all their hard work and experience go to waste.
“There’s a lot of talent within my team that you could benefit from.”
Anyone who can help is asked to email [email protected]
Set up in 1979 as Age Concern Copeland and Age Concern Allerdale, it evolved into Age Concern Northwest Cumbria in 1993, before becoming Age UK West Cumbria in February 2011.
A spokesman for Age UK West Cumbria said: “Age UK West Cumbria has faced a number of financial challenges and unfortunately the board of trustees have made the difficult decision to cease operating on Friday May 31 meaning that the charity is no longer able to continue offering services to older people across West Cumbria.
“We are sad and disappointed that it has come to this. As you would expect our number one priority is how we can now best support older people in the area and we are now looking at the best way this can be achieved locally.
“We are mindful that this news will be upsetting for the older people that we support, as well as our staff, volunteers and stakeholders.
“We have contacted everyone that will be affected by this news and will continue to update beneficiaries, staff and volunteers.
“In the meantime, anyone with any concerns can contact Age UK West Cumbria on 01900 844670.
“Any older person of their families looking for help can also contact the Age UK national advice line on 0800 055 6112.”
