Many people know Cowes for the world-famous sailing regatta, but what they might not realise is that the Island also plays host to 1 of only 3 NSPCC charity shops across the country.
Tucked away in the corner of Shooters Hill, Cowes, the green fronted shop doesn’t look much to the outside world but over the years it has become the heart of the community. People pop in on a daily basis to donate unwanted items, see what bargains they can pick up or just have a chat with the volunteers who work there.
The shop first opened its doors in 1982 with Diana Waite at the helm. Today it is run by manager Belinda Hussey and her army of 25 volunteers. It’s thanks to their hard work and dedication that the shop continues to operate and generate an income* for the children’s charity.
Belinda said:
“It is hard work but I do enjoy it. It’s got a lovely family feel to it.
“A few years back, a lady, who was clearly upset, came in and asked if she could go out the back and the staff let her. She left but came back a few days later to tell us she’d had some really bad news that day. She knew she wouldn’t make it home without crying and just thought ‘the shop’ was the best to place for her to go.”
Many of the staff have volunteered for 30 years or more and between them they have some stories to share. Among the tales is a Yorkshire terrier that came crashing through the kitchen ceiling and survived after it fell from the window of the flat above, a dead mouse found at the bottom of a bin liner filled with donated goods, and an overpowering smell in the store room which was caused by a pair of men’s sandals.
Such is their dedication that they often go above and beyond the call of duty.
Belinda added:
“One day a man rang and said he had seen a big teddy in the window that he wanted the day before and could we keep it for him. I asked when he could collect it and he said in a year’s time when he returned to the Island for his holiday. I stored it in my loft and true to his word he collected it!”
But it’s Belinda’s mum Carole Wheeler who has a rather more dramatic story to tell. The 81-year-old, who has worked at the shop since it opened, said:
“We were held up at knifepoint in the late 90s.
“It was about 4pm and Ann, another volunteer, was behind the till, I was out the back and a young man was trying on clothes. We were about to close when he produced a knife and demanded money so Ann handed it over.
“He was caught a couple of days later when he held up a flower shop along the High Street.”
Husband and wife David and Jackie Green volunteer at the shop 3 days a week between them but quite often do extra shifts when others are on holiday. David, 73, who is currently the only man working there, said:
“I started volunteering when I retired 10 years ago. I have a great deal of fun there.”
Jackie, also 73, said:
“I took early retirement at 58 and decided I would like to do some volunteering work whilst working part time at friend’s newsagents.
“My father was a cruel man when I was younger so the NSPCC is close to my heart.”
Among the usual donations of bric-a-brac and clothes there have been some surprises over the years. Belinda said:
“We found £40 hidden in the toe of a boot and £16 in a cardigan. We also found a passport in a travel bag. I called the next of kin’s phone number and they were really grateful because the person it belonged to was due to travel to Australia two weeks later.”
