RUSS JARVIS OPENS NEW CHARITY SHOP
By J. Brock (FINN)
Russ Jarvis, First Secretary at Government House, has opened the new charity shop on Fitzroy Road. In a few brief words before cutting the donated shocking pink scarf (more appropriate than a ribbon) he said that it seemed just like yesterday that he was approached by organisers and asked for permission to use porta-cabin behind No. 10 Drury Street for a charity shop. He went on to thank everyone who participated in the running of the old shop and the move to the new one, especially Anya Cofre, who kept everything running smoothly. He finished with welcoming all to the next stage of development in the charity shop.
First customer to enter the shop was Mrs. Doreen Clarke. Approximately 25 people followed her into the shop to browse and buy.
The building was donated to the "Bargains Galore Charity Shop" by Dick and Judith Sawle of Seaview Ltd., who also arranged for a professionally painted sign to go above the main entrance. Inside, a tastefully designed plaque said that the building was dedicated to those who lost their lives in the April 10th 1984 Hospital fire. The list includes: Mary Smith, Topsy McPhee, Barbara Chick, Mable Neilson, Fred Coleman, Gladys Fleuret and Teresa and Karen McGill.
"It’s always been a dream of mine, if I achieved anything in my life, to dedicate it to the memory of these people," said Anya Cofre. Anya, who was an auxiliry nurse at the time, knew all of them personally. "I was just off duty at 11pm on the night of the fire," she added.
Proceeds from Bargains Galore go to charity. Approximately £15,000.00 has been given, thus far, to various local charities as well as the Tristan da Cunha Disaster Appeal, by the Charity’s Trustees.
