Shoppers so generous, families so grateful..

HELPING the vulnerable . . . from left, Sheelagh Rider and Carol Forshaw

VULNERABLE families in Werneth and Shaw have been overwhelmed by the generosity of shoppers who donated household items to help them build a home for their children.

The Children’s Society’s shop in Shaw has experimented with a new approach to donations, using its shop windows to appeal to local residents for items for families suffering domestic violence and asylum-seeking families who have fled war, terror and persecution.

Within a few days of the launch of the window appeal, houses were being transformed and needs met through donated items and children had toys to play with, some for the first time since arriving in the UK.

Shop manager Carol Forshaw said, “We are overwhelmed by the generosity demonstrated by local residents. The power of a simple window display is quite astounding.’

Gifts of children’s clothes, toys, books and prams have made a huge difference to struggling families in the area.