CHILDREN’S charity Barnardo’s is celebrating receiving thousands of bags of donations since opening its Park South donation centre last year.

Aside from selling all of the normal items to be found in a charity shop, the Cavendish Square branch also serves as a sorting and distribution centre for donations to be shared across the wider area.

The new venture has been a huge success since opening after receiving more than 2,000 bags of clothes, books, toys and games, and local volunteers have donated more than 1,200 hours of their own time to help.

To mark the anniversary the team enjoyed a well-deserved break from their work to cut a specially-decorated cake yesterday.

Barnardo’s donation centre manager Venetia Trickett said: “We wanted to celebrate our first anniversary by arranging a special thank you for all of the team who have worked so hard to support the charity.

“It is thanks to their dedication and commitment, together with the generous support of local donors, that we have been able to achieve so much.

“It’s been a fantastic first year and full of surprises. We’ve received some really unusual donations, including the time when a lady came in with an entire collection of milk bottle tops.”

The staff are supported by 12 volunteers aged from 14 to 72.

The open plan of the building means donors can see them working at the back of the premises where they sort the goods ready to be shared across the region.

The front of the building is a more traditional store where people can browse for a bargain after delivering their items.

Venetia said: “We are so proud of everything that has been achieved by the team and we hope they realise their importance to the charity.

“Last year Barnardo’s worked with 200,000 disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people.

“Our shops play a crucial role in supporting many of these projects, helping thousands of families to build a better future.”

The donation centre is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm, and Sundays from 10am to 4pm, and always welcomes volunteers.

Call 01793 616659 for information.