Another major rug sale is under way thanks to a generous gift to East Cheshire Hospice.
The Hospice has been given 650 new rugs of all shapes and sizes which are available at its four shops.
A distribution centre in Buxton has gifted the items to the Hospice which hopes the new sale is as lucrative as the last one.
The Hospice received between £55,000 and £60,000 from the sale of 1,400 rugs which were handed over as surplus stock in early 2022.
The new batch were bought online from an American company by its UK customers.
Volunteers helping with the rug delivery. From left, Richard Raymond, Rod King, Iain Donald, Lawrence Robinson, Charlie Seddon and Pete Broughton.
However, the buyers decided for various reasons they did not want the items, so the centre in Derbyshire has chosen to donate them to the Hospice rather than go to the expense of sending them back to the USA.
Hospice Commercial Manager Louise Delany said: “We’re thrilled to have received another kind donation of rugs and want to thank the company who supplied them again.
“Carrying them around may be hard work for staff and volunteers, but it’s well worth the effort because of the huge reward they bring for the Hospice.
“Our customers flocked to our shops last time to snap up bargains and hopefully they’ll do the same with this latest delivery.
“All the proceeds from sales go directly to fund patient care, which is an important thing to remember.”
The rugs are now on sale at shops in Poynton, Handforth, Thornton Square and Chestergate, which received smaller-sized rugs due to less space.
Macclesfield company DoorCo are storing some rugs until the shops need fresh supplies.
Louise said: “The rugs have accumulated at the distribution centre over a period of time. They’re brand new, but customers didn’t want them because they may have been the wrong colour, shape or size.
“Rather than roll them back up and ship them back to the States the centre offered them to us.
“Hopefully, it’ll provide another huge boost to our retail income if people buy them like they did last time.
“Our shops are thriving at the moment and we’re so grateful to those who donate items and also buy them.
“We’re always on the lookout for recycled furniture which is so popular in our stores.”
* To donate furniture call co-ordinator Toni Walsh on 07917 942273 or email furniture@echospice.org.uk.