By NICOLE VALICEK
TRADE at the newly renovated Williamstown Hospital Opportunity Shop is booming, unfortunately so too is the number of unsalable items being left on the footpath.
Volunteers were stunned when opening the shop recently to find a fridge had been left out the front overnight when it clearly advises it is unable to sell electrical items.
Western Health’s community engagement and volunteers manager Jo Spence said efforts to move these items elsewhere take’s up the valuable time of volunteers and the shop’s resources.
“The Hobsons Bay City Council were quick to remove the fridge from the footpath, however, it detracts from the pleasant look of Ferguson St when goods are constantly left outside,” she said.
Ms Spence said the shop was open from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 4pm and asked that people bring their donations in during these hours, as most people do.
“For safety reasons, we are not able to accept electrical items or baby items such as car seats and high chairs, so we would greatly appreciate if people could look within their own networks when it’s time to move these items on.”
She said they are grateful for the community’s support for the opportunity shop.
“We are trying very hard to increase the quality of items in the shop in order to increase the money we raise for the Williamstown Hospital.”
The money raised at opportunity shop funds important projects at the Williamstown Hospital.
The volunteer team aim to add Sunday trading to further increase their fundraising.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jo Spence on 8345 1201 or jo.spence@wh.org.au.
