Ashton residents called to 'spread festive cheer and volunteer'

The new British Heart Foundation (BHF) store in Ashton under Lyne is appealing for the local community to spare a couple of hours to help spread festive cheer and volunteer in the shop this Christmas.

The new store in the Arcade Shopping Centre opened in November and has already proved popular with shoppers finding fantastic preloved furniture and homewares in time for Christmas. The BHF are calling for Ashton-under-Lyne residents to lend a hand by volunteering to create window displays, helping out in the warehouse or simply assisting customers on the shop floor. 

The store, which offers a mixture of brand new and preloved furniture, was opened by Andrew Trafford, Professor of Cardiac Pathophysiology at the University of Manchester. He is a BHF-funded researcher whose work looks at how disease affects the function of the heart. 

Professor Andrew Trafford said: “It was an honour to be invited to cut the ceremonial ribbon on the new Ashton under Lyne store and meet some of the amazing staff and volunteers that work there. It’s packed full of preloved items, and every purchase made will help fund research like mine to help the 320,000 people living with heart and circulatory diseases in Greater Manchester.”

Nicholas McFadden, BHF Area Manager, said: “It was amazing to have Professor Andrew Trafford to open our new store and we have had a fantastic response from customers. We are looking for volunteers to join our busy store to help out over the festive period and into the new year. There is always a warm welcome with hot drinks and snacks as a thank you for your support.

"So if you have a couple of hours to spare, feel free to call in for a chat! There is no commitment needed and your hard work will help those living with heart and circulatory disease."

The new store at the Arcade Shopping Centre, is open 7 days a week.  

 To volunteer at the British Heart Foundation this festive season, visit bhf.org.uk/volunteer