The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Ciara is Star of the Show at Neston Shop Opening

A youngster who benefits from the care of a local children's charity was guest of honour when the organisation opened a brand new charity shop in Neston recently.

Ciara Fowler cut the ribbon to open the new Claire House shop in Neston. Photo by Bernard Rose.

7-year-old Ciara Fowler, from Little Stanney near Ellesmere Port, cut the ribbon at the official opening of the new Claire House Children's Hospice charity shop in Neston High Street, along with her proud mum Gayle and three-year old sister Sophia.

Ciara, who has Rett Syndrome, and enjoys short stays at Claire House Children's Hospice in Bebington, was there to welcome customers to the new shop, the 25th Claire House charity shop in the region.

Claire House charity shops contribute over £500,000 a year to the cost of caring for seriously and terminally ill children and their families, helping them create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

Ciara with Mum Gayle and sister Sophia. Photo by Bernard Rose

Of Claire House, Ciara's mum Gayle said: "Claire House has been part of our lives for a year now. I was reluctant to bring her to the hospice at first. I was concerned having support looking after her would mean we weren't coping or I was neglecting her. But now, I can't imagine our lives without Claire House.

"Ciara absolutely loves going to the hospice and they give her the most incredible care. We're so delighted and honoured to have been asked to open the new Neston shop; we want to help Claire House in any way we can. I think it's wonderful that our family, who benefits from the care of Claire House, got the opportunity to meet the charity's supporters and show them what Claire House is all about."

The shop, based at the site of the old Iceland store in the town centre, will be mostly run by volunteers and relies on quality donations of unwanted clothes, shoes, accessories, books, toys and gifts to stock its shelves.

Managing the shop is Liz McBain, a retail manager with over 38 years' experience. She added: "I'm so excited to work with the people of Neston to raise as much money as possible for our local children's hospice. I've lived in the town all my life and I've no doubt the new Claire House shop will become a thriving member of the retail community here in our town centre."

If you'd like to donate stock to a Claire House shop or would be interested in volunteering, contact 0151 343 0883.

The shop has opened in the former Iceland unit in the High Street. Photo by Bernard Rose

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