Hyndburn charity shop woman’s SOS (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Hyndburn charity shop woman’s SOS

11:04am Thursday 30th August 2012 in News

A CHARITY shop is on the verge of closure after seven years.

Kathleen Ramsden, 78, has single-handedly run the shop in High Street, Rishton, for third world charities helping AIDS victims and lepers, and in aid of Blackburn homeless charity, Night Safe.

But recently there has been a decline in sales, and Mrs Ramsden, who has become an institution in the town, has been forced to pay the bills out of her own pocket.

The grandmother-of-six said: “All I’m doing is paying rent and electricity bills. Nobody is coming into the shop.

“I want some other charity organisation to come in and rent the shop, and I’ll come in and run it for them voluntarily.

“I’m so sorry this has to happen, but I can’t keep paying the bills. The rent is £195 a month. I feel very down because I love my little shop, but I keep praying that something will come up.”

Kathleen, of Clayton-le-Moors, is a well-known charity worker, having also worked for Maundy Relief in Accrington. Anyone who can help Kathleen should call 01254 239246.