A CHARITY shop which raises money for the Margaret Kerr Unit and Borders Palliative Care fund have smashed their donation target within the first year of trading.

Tuesday, February 2, marked the first birthday of the Charity for Care shop in Kelso and the latest donation brings its tally to over £60,000, four times more than expected, which has surprised no one more than the shop's owner Eilean Hogarth.

“When I started all this I thought if we could raise £15,000 for the Margaret Kerr Unit in the first year that would be very good,” said Eilean. “But to think we have raised four times that amount is beyond anything I could've hoped for.”

It all started in September 2014, when Eilean approached the fundraising team at The Difference - the NHS Borders supporting charity – with an idea to establish a charity shop in Kelso, wholly for the benefit of the Margaret Kerr Unit and Palliative Care fund.

Having volunteered in a charity shop for the previous 15 years, Eilean knew the potential this type of store had and despite a few obstacles, less than five months later, the Charity for Care shop opened on Bridge Street in Kelso.

Charity for Care now has 30 volunteers keeping the shop going six days a week and they regularly receive compliments on the shop's appearance and the quality of the stock.

Karin Nairn, fundraising manager for The Difference, thinks this and the huge amount raised is no coincidence. She said: “Every one of the volunteers takes pride in their work, is passionate about the cause and this is clear to see from the moment you go in the shop.

“It is through their hard work, care and attention that this wonderful donation has been possible and we are very grateful to each and every one of them.

"We are also continually grateful to the people of the Borders who support the shop and are so generous towards the Margaret Kerr Unit and the provision of palliative care across the region."

The Palliative Care team in the Margaret Kerr Unit intend to use the latest donations to develop the garden ensuring it is accessible for all and also to attend training sessions in complementary and other therapies designed to enhance care and quality of life.