Surge in second-hand Christmas shopping leads charity to seek more volunteers

A charity shop is seeking more volunteers as they see a surge in second-hand festive shoppers with a third of people reportedly turning to pre-loved gifts.

Oxfam is looking for people across the region to give the greatest gift of all this Christmas and donate their time. The shop on Darlington's Skinnergate in the town centre is one of those preparing for another busy Christmas, so Oxfam is calling on residents to generously donate some of their time to volunteering and helping raise vital funds for tackling poverty and inequality across the world.

Volunteers can gift as little or as much time as they have to spare across the festive period and beyond, to help with everything from working on the till, dressing windows, sorting donations and interacting with customers. With just a few weeks left until Christmas, it is expected to be a busy winter season of second-hand shopping - with an Oxfam survey showing a third of people would be buying pre-loved Christmas gifts.

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Rachel Parry, Oxfam Shop Manager, said: "Christmas is one of the busiest and most wonderful times of the year at our shop in Darlington and volunteers are absolutely essential to helping everything run over the festive season. Whatever time you have to spare, we would love to welcome more volunteers into our Oxfam shop this Christmas and into the New Year. It's the perfect way to gain new skills, take on a new challenge and have fun - as well as helping make difference and raise life-saving money at a time when it's most needed."

Volunteer Marketing Manager Zara Canfield, adds: "Our volunteers' efforts over the festive season are so important for our Oxfam shops. They are not only there to help shoppers with everything they need to make their Christmas perfect, but they are also helping us to raise vital funds to tackle poverty and inequality across the world.

"In the lead up to our busiest time of year, we would love to encourage people to consider giving the gift of a little time this Christmas to help make a difference with Oxfam." Give a little time this Christmas in your local Oxfam shop. Find out more and apply at Oxfam Volunteers.

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