A Cardigan volunteer has been named as Volunteer of the Year.
Myrna Philpott, 89, was recognised for her 20 years of service to Tenovus Cancer Care at the recent Charity Retail Association (CRA) conference.
The event, taking place on June 26 and 27 at Harrogate Convention Centre, marked the CRA's 25th anniversary.
A variety of workshops were offered, focusing on areas from textile recycling to inclusive recruitment.
The conference also hosted the annual Charity Retail Awards, sponsored by 1st Waste Management.
Among the awards handed out was a new accolade— the Social Value award.
This award was conceived in response to a 2023 Social Return on Investment (SROI) report stating that charity shops generated more than £75.3 billion of wellbeing value.
The Hospice of St Francis claimed this award for initiatives such as hosting dementia cafes, children's events, and a literary festival.
Myrna Philpott, however, was the star of the show.
For two decades, she has given more than 15,000 voluntary hours to Tenovus Cancer Care's shop in Cardigan, Wales.
More than that, in 2022, she took part in a zipwire challenge, raising more than £900 for the charity.
In her community, Ms Philpott has been running her own donation centre, convincing friends and family to donate unwanted items.
Her efforts here have been monumentally successful, helping raise more than £28,000 for the charity's frontline work.
Other winners on the night were Lottie O’Connor, a Cancer Research UK volunteer, named Young Volunteer of the Year.
Moreover, the Salvation Army Trading Company won Outstanding Charity Retailer of the Year after a record-breaking trading year.
British Heart Foundation won Campaign of the Year, and Shelter was recognised for its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Mark Russell, CEO of The Children's Society was named as Most Supportive Chief Executive.
The WOW! Factor Award for Best Shop Window was given to Pilgrims Hospices, with the Best Shop Interior award going to the Kent and Devon Air Ambulance in Barnstaple.
Chief executive of the Charity Retail Association, Robin Osterley, praised the various successes of charity retailers, their staff and volunteers over the past year.
He said: "This is an incredibly exciting year for the charity retail sector, including the recent incredibly successful launch of our new UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Award."
The full details of all award winners can be found on the CRA's official website.
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