Cool snap results in profits freeze at Fulham Road charity shop - Fulham Chronicle

A store in Fulham is starting to feel the effects of the continuous cold breeze as gains and donations have fallen. The recent bad weather has been taking its toll on Mind, in Fulham Road, with director Paula Berry claiming the cold conditions are preventing residents from making crucial donations. Based on Mrs Berry cold temperatures is typically the busiest time of year for the mental health charity shop, as people de-clutter their drawers and offer old clothes, extras, books and unrequired Christmas gift suggestions. Equally, shrewd shoppers often travel to the shop at the moment of year to grab bargains. As there seems to be no quick liberation from winter's cold clutches, Mrs Berry is urging visitors to brave the cold because the charity needs their help. The Parsons Green citizen, said: aInitially after Christmas we were very happy and got plenty of undesirable gift suggestions but now weare perhaps not finding any standard kinds of donations. aA large amount of charity shops are suffering at the moment and I do believe itas because of this recent winter and the recession, people are possessing things. aWe are funding that is provided by the retail arm for plenty of the charity, weare maybe not the sole source but we're a major one. Often at this time of year we get a regular source of contributions but itas not been happening. aA lot of people work in the town or in Chelsea and need a company attire which needs to be updated and we take advantage of this. aBut because of the cold people have been staying indoors and it's had a massive impact.a Money raised from sales would go to support people with mental health issues, helping fund the MindinfoLine and information and assistance services. Managing director of Mind shops, Andrew Vale, said: aDonating and shopping at Mind helps support the main one in four people in the UK who'll experience psychological distress each year. aNow a lot more than ever, we need the assistance of Fulham people and so encourage everyone who are able to to please pop in-store and help our fundraising work to be continued by us for Mind.a If offering products don't keep them beyond your store front as more regularly than not thieves should come along in the night time and get them. For more information, visit www.mind.org.uk