Page 24 - Jigsaw October 2021

CHARITY
BIRTHDAY
Celebrating 30 years
“I can’t see myself working anywhere else,” says charity shop manager Tracy Peploe. “Thrapston is a great little place and we have lots of regular customers who come into
the shop for a browse and a chat. We are well supported by the local community who appreciate that all the money raised helps older people in Northamptonshire.”
Tracy has worked at the Age UK Northamptonshire shop in the High Street for nearly 16 years and says she loves everything about it: the customers, the volunteers, the constantly changing flow of donations, never knowing from one day to the next what will come in. She enjoys sorting the clothes and books, helping to reduce waste and giving thousands of unwanted items the chance of
a second life. “People in Thrapston and the surrounding villages know that we are grateful for their donations of good quality saleable items. Without them we could not keep the shop going,” says Tracy.
This year the shop is celebrating its 30th anniversary, having started life as the Age Concern Northamptonshire charity shop. It was officially opened in April 1991 by Betty Saxby and Mary Howden. 20 years later, in April 2011 the charity became Age UK Northamptonshire and the shop still raises funds to provide support for older people in the county.
“We love getting involved in community celebrations and projects,” says Tracy. “We always join in the Thrapston Charter Fair and have won the prize cup for our shop window.
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