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Stonepillow revamps store to boost fundraising as icy blast brings into focus plight of homeless

Tim O’Reilly, interim chief executive of homeless charity Stonepillow, has told of the importance of revamping its Bognor Regis store to help with fundraising.

And with an icy blast set to hit the country with the so called Beast from the East sweeping in from Russia, the plight of the homeless comes ever more sharply into focus.

Stonepillow provides support 365 days a year and have 89 clients in their accommodation on any given evening. The organisation aims to raise £98,000 to fund a 24-hour service at a new hostel set to open in the town in April with increased bed spaces.

Mr O’Reilly was speaking in light of the rethink at Stonepillow’s charity shop, Revive, in the town’s High Street. It now stocks a full range of items similar to their Chichester outlet, Restore on Terminus Road.

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Stonepillow Restore is a social enterprise that works within the local community; funds raised provide income for the charity to continue to support homeless and vulnerable people. Donations of furniture and white goods are restored and recycled to be sold in the shops or used to furnish Stonepillow’s properties.

Listen as Jamie Dyer from SouthWaves Radio interviews folk from Stonepillow about the revamp at the Bognor store…

And as Mr O’Reilly says: “Not only that, the shops provide a practical learning environment for Stonepillow clients and people who are long-term unemployed in order for them to gain valuable work experience. This helps people increase their confidence, and self-worth and supports them to find employment.”

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Stonepillow also provide a 20 per cent discount on essential items over £10 for those on jobseekers allowance, employment and support allowance, housing benefit and pension credit benefits. This enables them to provide good quality household items at reasonable prices to those on a low income.

Retail Manager Kevin Couldwell explains: “Whether you’re looking for a modern item, an antique gem or something chic, we have a huge range to choose from making our shops the ideal hunting ground. Pre-loved items arrive in our stores every day so you will always find something new!”

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Stonepillow stock: dining furniture, tables and chairs; soft furnishings, mirrors and paintings, bedroom furniture, including beds and mattresses, living room furniture, including sofas, televisions, videos, hi-fi systems, DVD players and recorders, fridges, washing machines and other electrical appliances, bicycles and sports equipment.

Stonepillow collect good quality donations of furniture, white goods and electrical items free of charge. If you have items you wish to donate, you can contact the Bognor shop on 01243 214561.

Main picture: Tim O’Reilly, store assistant Andy, radio host Jamie Dyer, Laura Bulbeck and Kevin Couldwell

Carl Eldridge
Carl Eldridge
Carl Eldridge is a hugely experienced journalist who has worked on local and national newspapers, magazines and written for websites over the past 30 years. He lives in Bognor Regis with his wife and son.