Celebrations as Potters Bar charity shop reaches 25 with four original volunteers (From Times Series)

Celebrations as Potters Bar charity shop reaches 25 with four original volunteers

5:08pm Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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A CHARITY shop has celebrated 25 years in Potters Bar by honouring its longest serving volunteers.

The anniversary celebrations for the Cancer Research UK shop in Darkes Lane saw 20 of its volunteers recognised for their loyal service.

The event was especially poignant for the store's four original volunteers, who each received the 25 year long service badge.

Maureen Colley, Brenda Lewis, Margaret Hillyard and the store's first manager Doris Bradford have all worked at the shop since its opening in 1985.

Maureen Colley, 71, said receiving her badge was a true honour.

She said: “I was really pleased and quite chuffed. It was all quite overwhelming.”

Mrs Colley of Goffs Oak, got involved in the charity after her father, mother and eldest sister died from cancer.

She said: “I feel like it's a good cause and I thoroughly enjoy it. There's a lovely crowd of ladies and I feel like I'm doing some good. When cancer is in the family you feel like you have to do something.”

Despite her age Mrs Colley says she will continue to volunteer as long as she can.

“At 71 I don't think I've got another 25 years in me, but I hope I can do as much as I can for as long as possible,” she said.

Former swimming teacher, Brenda Lewis, 85, of Manor Road, Potters Bar, also lost her mother-in-law and father-in-law from the disease before she started at the shop.

Her husband died 13 years ago and yesterday was the second anniversary of the death of her daughter, also from cancer.

“I don't know how I would've coped when my daughter was ill if it wasn't for the shop,” she said.

“Everybody's so friendly and so supportive. It gets you out of the house and you feel like you're doing something useful.”

Mrs Bradford of Sunnybank, Potters Bar, started at the shop to help her cope with her husband's death from cancer 25 years ago and worked four days a week for free for 20 years.

She said she remembered the shop had been opened by jazz musician Acker Bilke, a local resident.

She added: “I enjoyed my time here and I met some lovely people.”

Shop manager Dorota Phillips, 33, of Letchworth Garden City, said all the volunteers deserved praise for their hand in helping to raise £2.6 million for the charity and the store's continued success.

She said: “Not very many shops have been around that long and 25 years is important for any business, so it's a real milestone and achievement for us.

“The volunteers are absolutely fabulous, they are a great bunch. This shop wouldn't exist without them. They're the real force, as are our loyal customers.”