March 31 saw the closure of our charity shop in Unicorn Hill, Redditch, after more than 20 years in the town.

The shop has been managed and run entirely by volunteers, who have in many cases experienced for themselves the unique range of services provided by Macmillan Cancer Support. Without our volunteers, the local firms who have given support in kind to keep the shop running, and of course the Redditch public who have donated as well as purchased goods from the shop, we would not have been able to raise the total of £440.363 which has gone to Macmillan to help fund services in the area.

Our final day was marked with a party to celebrate that achievement, attended by The Mayor, as well as volunteers past and present.

For all of us this was a bitter-sweet occasion, but the work of our local fundraising committee continues, as we press ahead with other ways to raise funds and ultimately achieve our target of £1 million raised from all our activities. Our next major fund-raising event will be on Friday, June 19 in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre.

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone for their support.

Philip Roberts Chairman Redditch and District Committee Macmillan Cancer Support