Closing date revealed for long-running Bristol charity shop

The closing date has been revealed for a long-running charity shop in Bristol.  

Young Lives vs Cancer's store on Staple Hill High Street, which first opened in 1990, is set to close on June 29. 

The closure comes after the cancer charity revealed it would be closing all of its stores last spring.    

The Keynsham store is closing at the end of this week, while the Fishponds store closed earlier in the month.     

In May last year, Young Lives vs Cancer announced its stores will close over the next 18 months after its financial report revealed the charity had made a substantial loss.   

The charity's chain of then 13 shops were located in Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Gloucestershire.  

It previously had five stores in the Bristol region including the Fishponds, Keynsham and Staple Hill stores.   

A Shirehampton store was first to close, while a Downend store closed in June last year.  

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Across all branches, up to 39 paid roles as well as 300 volunteer posts have been affected by the closures.

Young Lives vs Cancer's fundraising engagement manager for Bristol, Sophie Bennett, said: “Every day, 12 children and young people are told they have cancer. Their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. We are the charity that help children and young people get the right support at the right time.  

“No child or young person should face cancer alone. Whilst we are sad to see our shops close, there are so many ways the community in Bristol can continue to support Young Lives vs Cancer. As the fundraising engagement manager for Bristol, I would love to hear from anyone wanting to get involved in fundraising for the charity.  

“We know how much of an impact cancer has on young lives. From taking on a sponsored walk, a bake sale, to running marathons or simply donating online, the community can help continue to support families and help reduce the long-term devastating impact of cancer for children and young people.”

Young Lives vs Cancer will continue its work in the city with its two 'Homes from Home', CLIC House and Sam’s House, which provide free accommodation for families close to Bristol Children’s Hospital and Bristol Royal Infirmary.

The charity also funds social workers to provide emotional support to families as well as grants for financial support.

Young Lives vs Cancer was formed from a merger of Bristol charity CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood) and the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children in 2005, and was known as CLIC Sargent until 2021.