MENTAL health charity Wiltshire Mind opened its first charity shop on Church Street last week.
The shop was opened by fundraiser Chas March, who raised over £10,000 for the charity by growing half a beard for six months last year.
Chas was joined at the opening by Mayor of Melksham cllr Terri Welch, and the town crier Peter Dauncey.
Chief executive of the charity, Carolyn Beale said, “The day was a real success and we had lots of nice comments from members of the public.
“We also took over £500 on the day, which is a really good start for the shop. Wiltshire Mind receives no statutory funding, so it’s important that we keep working to generate income. We hope that opening this shop will provide an opportunity for us to sustain a higher income so we can continue to improve and extend our services.
“The shop has been set up to have a boutique feel, which we hope will set it apart from other charity shops, and encourage people to visit us.”
The shop sells clothing and jewellery, and direct donations to the charity can also be made in the store.
Wiltshire Mind is a local independent mental health charity based in Melksham. The charity provides county-wide services working towards a better life for people diagnosed, and treated as mentally ill.
For more info on the work of Wiltshire mind please email office@wiltshiremind.co.uk or phone 01225 706532.
Pictured: Carolyn Beale (centre left) was joined on Saturday by Melksham’s town crier, Peter Dauncey, mayor Terri Welch, and staff and supporters of the charity.
