A charity shop that helps fund the vital work done by Bolton Hospice has won a major award.

The Bolton Hospice charity shop on Hillview Road, Astley Bridge was one of 6,500 outlets across the country to be nominated for the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards.

The shop took home the title of North West winner in recognition of its role providing care and support for people with life limiting illnesses and their families.

Head of income generation Adrian Vickers said: “We’re delighted to be the Northwest winner in the UK’s Favourite Chairty Shop Awards. 

“This award recognises the amazing work our staff and volunteers do every single day to ensure we can continue to offer support to people and families with life-limiting illnesses across Bolton. 

The Astley Bridge shop helps raise money for Bolton HospiceThe Astley Bridge shop helps raise money for Bolton Hospice (Image: Bolton Hospice)

“We’re proud of all our charity shops and delighted that our Astley Bridge shop and café has been recognised for the amazing and vital work it does both for the hospice and in the local community.”

The Astley Bridge charity shop sells all kinds of second-hand goods with the money made going to support Bolton Hospice, based on Queens Park Street, just off Chorley New Road.

The hospice revealed in the summer of 2023 that it was dealing with huge financial pressures, meaning that support from the public has become more important than ever.

Charity shops have grown in popularity across the UK in recent years as more and more people look for ways to shop more cheaply while also supporting good causes.

The UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards are the first of their kind and were launched in June this year to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Charity Retail Association.

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This is the national membership organisation for charity shops in the UK.

Charity Retail Association chief executive Robin Osterley said: “Huge congratulations to Bolton Hospice.

“This award is a testament to the dedication of the shop’s staff and volunteers, and highlights what this wonderful store means to the local community.

“We have been overwhelmed by the public’s response to our search for the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop, which celebrates the contribution the sector makes to communities and good causes across the UK.”