Sanctuary Trust appeals for donations

Rochdale’s Sanctuary Trust Storehouse is urgently appealing for donations of furniture, bedding, clothing and shoes and household items for their shop on Drake Street.

Sanctuary Trust is a registered charity working with homelessness and homeless-related poverty and emergency homeless issues. ‘God's Sanctuary’ was the vision of Sheila Halsall after seeing the level of homelessness in Rochdale and substance misuse.

In addition to the shop, the charity is made up of a homeless shelter on Tweedale Street, a night shelter open between 7pm and 9am on Milnrow Road and a soup kitchen at the former premises of High Level, to the rear of Champness Hall.

As well as selling on donated items, the Trust’s Storehouse, which has been going for 10 years, also helps construct furniture packages for the homeless when they move out of the Sanctuary’s hostel, helping them furnish their new homes at no cost. The Trust also provides clothing for those in need.

Manager Sue Langley said: “Most seem to think we are a second-hand shop, but we give a lot of our items away to those in need. For example, we provide furniture to those who have moved out of our hostel, to help them get off to a good start.

“We are always after something, so if you can donate any items or volunteer some time, it is very much appreciated. Our volunteers do an amazing job and we could not do without them, especially our drivers.”

The Sanctuary Trust Storehouse is open Monday to Saturday between 9.30am and 4.30pm.

To donate or volunteer, contact Sue on 01706 649988