Help us keep shop raising vital funds

A LOCAL charity is struggling to find volunteers for its shop in Newland Avenue.

Founder of The Echoes Foundation Claire Stockton says the shop has plenty of stock and hopes locals will get on board to help.

Claire said: "All charity shops are struggling – it's really tough out there.

"By volunteering, people bring fresh ideas to the shop.

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"Experience isn't necessary but if they have got experience, that's a bonus."

The charity's other shop in Hessle Road was forced to close last year when the running costs became too much.

Claire set up the charity in 2008 after difficulties getting support and therapy for her son Finley, six, who suffers from a brain disorder.

Shop manager Samantha Sedman said she only has four volunteers working in the shop and they need more to help the store bring in vital funds to support the charity's work.

Samantha said: "We really need at least two people a day.

"If someone rings in sick, I'm on my own."

The foundation has a centre for disabled children and their families, which runs from the Gipsyville Multi Purpose Centre in Hessle Road, west Hull.

The centre provides a sensory room, alternative therapy room, parent support room and music therapy room.

The charity also loans sensory equipment to families and Claire is hoping to start a toy library.

Samantha said: "We've got so much stock, so now we need more volunteers.

"It's the only shop we've got now and we need to get this one back on its feet."

Starting this year, the foundation will be running family trips to farms where children can interact with the animals.

Claire, who works at Spire Hospital in Anlaby as a senior operating department practitioner, said: "We've got lots planned but we can't do it without funds."

The charity also has a respite caravan at Patrington Haven Caravan Park.

Claire said: "I really struggled when I found out I had a disabled son.

"We wanted to offer different services, that we thought would take some of the stress away from families."

Although having a disabled child can be difficult, Claire said she would not change a thing.

She said: "I never expected Echoes to take off how it did.

"Your life is turned upside down by it but I'm privileged to know what having a disabled child is all about."