Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland to lose £500,000 a month following closure of 45 charity shops amid coronavirus emergency
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Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland is closing its 45 shops across the country from 5pm tomorrow because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The charity says that shops will be closed until further notice and they hope that their unique and much-loved chain of stores will re-open once restrictions ease – but they don’t know when that will be.
The cause will lose £500,000 per month as a result of the closures and the loss would impact on services and support in areas such as Inverness.
Money generated from the charity shops accounts for around 50 per cent of the charity’s income.
The charity is urgently calling for people’s support as it continues to help those who are most vulnerable to coronavirus during this difficult time.
Jane-Claire Judson, the chief executive of Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, said: “This virus is forcing us to make some of the hardest decisions we will ever make as we try to support people who are most vulnerable.
“We have to put the safety of the public, our staff and our volunteers first and do everything we can to stop the spread of coronavirus and ease pressure on the NHS. We have therefore decided to close our beautiful shops – until further notice.
“We have contacted all staff and volunteers. They will be supported as much as possible at this uncertain time. They are our friends and they’re part of our family at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. We are all gutted."
She said the virus was threatening the lives of the people they supported and added: "For them, we won’t give up this fight. Our nurses and support workers continue to support people over the phone and video-conferencing, and our network of 140 support groups are doing the same.
“Our advice line nurses are here to help anyone worried about coronavirus and we are looking at ways we can use our chain of shops to organise and mobilise the fight against the virus.
“But this month alone we will lose £500,000 because our shops will be shut. It’s difficult to ask at this time, but we need people to donate what they can to make sure people with chest heart and stroke conditions are supported to get through this outbreak. Please give what you can.”
