Unfortunately, Shildon lost their only charity shop last month with the closure of Children in Distress.
Yet although the closed sign has turned for the last time, the ladies who tirelessly volunteered are still choosing to make a difference by giving to local charities.
The shop had been trading for over thirty years.
An original volunteer loaned the charity a glass haberdashery unit that saw great use as storage, displays and for their till.
When the shop was due to close as a result of rising rental and utility costs, the ladies contacted the family who had loaned them the valuable unit.
In a kind gesture, the family agreed for the vintage unit to be sold and the proceeds to be split between local charities.
Mandy, from The little Quilt shop, gladly purchased the oak cabinet, much to the delight of the family.
They said the cabinet had come full circle with its origins in the family sewing shop in Eldon, and now back to displaying fabric for quilts on Dabble Duck Industrial Estate.
The ladies from Children in Distress donated the proceeds to five well-deserving charities within the community.
The Shildon Brownies received funds to put towards camp and visits.
Jubilee Fields appreciated the extra funds to help with their welcome space and breakfast club.
Holly Lodge Care Home and Redworth House Care Home and finally Age Concern were also recipients of the fund allocation.
As a much loved store, Children in Distress and its staff are an upsetting loss for the town.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
