Willow Wood Droylsden celebrates 25 years

Willow Wood’s Droylsden shop celebrated its 25th anniversary last Monday. 

Balloons and banners were displayed around the shop as volunteers reminisced on their many years at the shop and raising funds for the hospice from a time before it was even built. Customers were invited to join in too and were even treated to a delicious cake. 

It was a particularly special day for volunteer Evelyn Hull, who has been volunteering at the shop since the very first day it opened on Market Street back in 1994. 

Evelyn recalled: “When we first opened, we had to go beg and borrow for carrier bags and hangers. We had nothing, starting off from scratch. We brought clothes in from home to set it off, then it seemed to take off all of a sudden.”

Evelyn volunteers at the shop two days a week and even takes donated watches home to fit them with batteries.

There’s a great camaraderie between the shop’s volunteers, which is evident as soon as customers walk through the door. Evelyn says it’s that companionship that has kept her coming back.

“I’ve enjoyed it because after I lost my husband, it was a lifeline to me,” she said. “Otherwise I’d have been stuck at home. I’ve made some wonderful friends over the years and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.

“If I’m feeling down, I know where to come. It’s like that for a lot of the other volunteers. I’m 86 in August but I’ll keep going until I can’t do it any longer.”

If you’re interested in joining Willow Wood’s Droylsden team, you can call the store on 0161 301 3356.