Volunteers (pictured) at FACT Barnlee Crafts Charity Shop in Derrylin have raised £24,500 over the past twelve months. They will present the cheque to Monaghan Bros, Lisnaskea to pay for a new eight seater people carrier for Barnlee Care Home, Lisnaskea
Barnlee Crafts, which is located just off main street where the old Derrylin Post Office used to be, is opened a year and, in that period, it has raised £25,500 which will go towards buying the brand new bus from Monaghan Bros, Lisnaskea.
Richard Sinton, in a letter to the Herald, said all the residents in Barnlee were ‘overjoyed’ at the new arrival.
“We will be able to go to Bundoran and to other places. The bus looks great and the drivers at Barnlee are looking forward to driving it and to the ‘FACT’ (Friendship and Caring Trust) sign, with the wee house, on the side of the bus and our photos in the paper.”
The cheque was handed over to Jim Armitage, the managing director of Monaghan Bros.
He told the Herald that the Ford Transit Custom nine-seater would have a tail gate for wheelchair access. It was now going away for a refit and would be ready fro use in the new year.
Mary Burke, the manager of the crafts shop, explained that it accepted everything, from small items of furniture to bric-a-brac, most of it brand new.
“We have jewellery, books, CDs, videos, and children’s clothes. It’s unbelievable the amount of children’s clothes we take over the counter, and it’s all first class.”
And, there is a continuous supply of customers come in to purchase.
“We do an excellent cross-border trade because we are on the main road to Dublin.”
As to the amount the shop raised in the course of a year, Mary said she never thought the money would be raised in such a short time.
“We are all volunteers here. None of us gets paid and the shop is not only a charity shop, it’s also the hub of community life, for people who just want to come in for a chat.”
She explained that her ‘team’ were cross-community and were a great example of what partnership is about.
“Belonging to a group is very important for most people, friendships are formed and you can go out and meet those people for a coffee.”
The shop is also open on Saturdays when post-primary pupils who attend school locally or in Enniskillen are welcome to work alongside an adult.
The shop number is 677 48710.
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