A hospice in Kenton is appealing for more volunteer support to help out in their charity shops which may be forced to close.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Helene Casperz has been volunteering at the St Luke's charity shops for 20 yearsHelene Casperz has been volunteering at the St Luke's charity shops for 20 years (Image: Archant)

St Luke’s Hospice, in Kenton Road, has more than 17 shops across Brent and Harrow which could be forced to close because of a shortage of volunteer help.

The charity, which offers free respite to patients and their families, relies heavily on volunteers in order to keep its doors open to the community and to raise vital funds for local hospice care.

Joe Feeley, St Luke’s retail director, said: “St Luke’s Hospice relies on the generosity of the local community to volunteer with us to raise over £750,000 in our shops every year.

“The amazing gifts of time given by our happy committed teams of volunteers enable us to fund the amazing work that benefits patients and families in the same communities.

“Volunteering is an incredible experience and all of our volunteers benefit from their commitment as well as making a tremendous difference to their local communities and the lives of both our patients and their families that are cared for in Harrow and Brent.

“Without more volunteers we may be unable to run our 17 shops and we could face having to close in some of our busiest times. We are in urgent need of shop volunteers to help us to raise funds to continue and expand local hospice care.”

Helen Caspersz has been volunteering in a St Luke’s shop for 20 years.

She said: “We have nice, caring customers who bring in goods to the shops and we encourage people to buy as well.

“I would encourage more people to come and join us as volunteers. The shops are lovely and friendly places where we have a joke, know each other well and we are like a big family.’

To volunteer in one of St Luke’s 17 shops, pop into your local branch, visit stlukes-hospice.org/volunteer or phone 020 8382 8000.