Compton Hospice charity shops hit £1 million mark

The income came from the Wolverhampton based charity's 23 stores across the Black Country and Staffordshire.

Bosses have expressed their delight with hitting the landmark figure which comes after a string of new shops were opened on the past 12 months.

In May the hospice announced its most successful ever financial year after £1.5m was bequeathed to the organisation in wills.

However staff said they still desperately need the support of the general public to keep the hospice going with £6m required to run the site every year.

Trading manager Paul Carter said: "We are extremely proud of the achievement of our charity shops.

"This is the first time since the trading company was established that we have reached the £1m net profit mark.

"Of course, we would not have been able to achieve such a feat without the support and dedication of our customers who year on year continue to purchase items from our stores as well as offer donations to ensure our shelves remain full at all times."

Posters are on display across the charity's shops detailing how much each store raised.

The figures represent a dramatic turn-around in fortunes for the hospice after bosses previously announced a dip in donations.

For the first half of the last financial year donations dropped by more than £32,000 while money left in wills decreased by £85,292.

But three six-figure donations in the second half of the year led to the Compton Road West centre reporting a record-breaking year.

PR & Marketing Officer Grace Lee added: "It costs just over £6m every year to run Compton Hospice.

"With only one third of our funding coming from the government we rely heavily on local communities and businesses to help us fundraise a minimum of £4m every year.

"Compton Hospice is renowned for providing quality care to patients nearing the end of life and with the public's support we hope to be able to provide such care for generations to come."

The hospice provided care to 2,076 patients last year.

In November 2012 security measures were stepped up by the hospice after its coffee shop in Compton Road West and a newly-opened shop in Perton were targeted by thieves. In Perton the shop was broken into and the safe was raided, causing £2,000 worth of damage.