ST MARGARET’S Hospice is urgently appealing for donations to help the charity’s Bridgwater clothes shop get back up and running after it was badly damaged by a water leak.

The shop in Cornhill has been closed while staff and volunteers clear up and repair the damage, which manager Lisa Whitney discovered when she arrived for work on Thursday, May 30.

Lisa said: “It was very upsetting to see our lovely shop in such an awful mess after what happened, because our volunteers take so much pride in making it look nice and welcoming.

“Sadly we have lost a significant amount of stock and several days’ trading, so we urgently need more donations of good quality clothing and other saleable items.

“We have wonderful regular customers and I’m sure they will support us as we get back on our feet.

“There’s a real community spirit in Bridgwater and lots of people have been asking if we’re ok.”

The shop is expected to re-open on Monday, June 3.

In the meantime, anyone who would like to donate clothes or other items for sale can drop them off at the St Margaret’s Hospice shop in Stockmoor Village or the Bridgwater Homemaker store in the High Street.

John Aizlewood, retail and commercial director for St Margaret's Hospice, said: “We are working with our insurers to reopen the shop as soon as possible.

“Lisa and her dedicated team are determined to bounce back from this unfortunate incident with the support of the local community.”

St Margaret’s Hospice cared for more than 3,800 people in Somerset affected by a variety of life-limiting illnesses last year.

The charity has 34 shops across the county and most of the items sold are donated by the local community.

More information about donating goods can be found at www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk.