THIS Christmas you can get your new partywear and help a good cause as a new shop opens in Galashiels.

Local cancer support charity, Lavender Touch, is opening its own shop in a bid to raise funds for their vital therapeutic services.

The fundraising shop will open on Friday, November 1 at 10am with Scottish Rugby Coach, Galashiels' own Gregor Townsend taking time away from his schedule to officially open the shop to the public.

He said: "There can be few families in the Scottish Borders untouched by cancer and this local charity, for local people, helps people throughout their cancer journey and recovery.

"I am delighted to be invited to open the Christmas shop and hope that much-needed funds can be raised over the next few weeks through the ongoing efforts of all supporters and volunteers."

The shop at 2 Channel Street isn't like your average charity shop - this shop will house clothes for adults and children, ball gowns, jewellery, hand bags, you name it - all to get you Christmas party and school disco ready.

And not to forget the baking, cookware and giftware also in the shop.

Alongside all the fashionable delights available, Lavender Touch's own therapy products which are designed by local aromatherapists will be on sale. This will include their range of sleepwear specially designed to ease the effects of certain cancer treatments on patients.

Donations of clothes and homewares are welcome and can be handed in at Lavender Touch, Tweedbank Craft Centre, on a Monday and Thursday. All donations should be of a high quality.

The Lavender Touch shop will be open on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. Extra Sunday opening hours will be added during the run-up to Christmas in December.

The grand opening of the shop will be added to the extensive list of fundraising events Lavender Touch has completed to support its patients. Money raising projects have included the Edinburgh Half Marathon, The Kilt Walk and The Glencoe Challenge.

Lavender Touch Trustee, Sheila Scott, told us: "We’re passionate about the services and products the Lavender Touch provides to those in the Borders living with cancer, who we help treat with our tried and tested complementary therapies.

"It now costs around £75,000 a year to fulfil the levels of service we provide and most of this money is raised through fundraising, so we have to get creative.

"We are indebted to all our supporters within the Scottish Borders community and particularly to Phil Macari, who has given us the use of the old Sorella shop in Galashiels for the next two months."

For more information on the services Lavender Touch provide and how to access them, visit www.lavendertouch.co.uk or call the charity's office on 01896 208255 to discuss any donations.