GOOD-hearted citizens who can spare a few hours of their time a week are urgently needed to run a new Acorns shop.

Clothes, toys, books and games will be just some of the items sold in the shop which is due to open in Pershore towards the end of next month.

The success of the new shop, at 18a High Street, will depend upon finding enough volunteers to serve customers and help behind the scenes.

"We are looking for people who like meeting other people and can spare a few hours each week," said Richard Collins, Acorns area retail manager.

"You don't necessarily need previous retail experience as we will provide full training.

"There will be lots of interesting opportunities both in the shop and behind the scenes, including stock, serving and pricing in the shop as well as helping customers.

"Being a shop volunteer is a great way of meeting new people, making new friends and often learning a new skill too.

"We are also looking for someone who has an interest and some knowledge about books as the new shop will have quite a large book section."

Fourth shop

The shop is the fourth Acorns shop to open in Worcestershire, and the seventh to open in the three counties.

It will be open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm.

Mr Collins said Acorns shops raised a great deal of money and the new Pershore shop would play a big part in helping raise funds to build and run the new hospice in Bath Road, Worcester.

"Volunteering is a great way for local people to help a local charity and play a big part in our fundraising appeal," he said.

Chiefs behind plans to build the new hospice for children with life-limiting illnesses are celebrating after the contract for the project was signed last week.

Malvern-based Speller-Metcalfe has been chosen as the builder for the development and is expected to start work at the end of October.

Anyone who would like to volunteer to help in the new shop should call Mr Collins on 07950 028081.

The trust's £4m appeal broke through the £3m mark at the end of July and fund-raisers are confident the remaining money will be raised.

For more details on the appeal call 01905 767676.

At the double

A WORCESTER father is going marathon-mad by attempting to run two marathons in one year to raise money for the Acorns appeal for a new hospice.

Mark Hanson from Ombersley has already successfully completed this year's London Marathon and will be donning his running shoes for a second time when he takes part in the New York Marathon on Sunday, November 2.

The 42-year-old, who runs his own print business, said he has always wanted to run the 26-mile race ever since watching the very first London Marathon.

"Preparing and training for both races is tough going but I'm determined to complete my marathon madness!"he said.

Mr Hanson hopes his effort will raise £10,000 for Acorns and Children for Leukaemia.

To find out more about Mr Hanson's efforts or to make a donation, access www.hansonprint.co.uk/marathon

High performance fund-raising team

ACORNS Children's Hospice looks set to benefit from the re-launch of a car care and maintenance centre in Hereford after a Formula One car made a guest appearance.

The Ferrari Team Formula One car driven by race-ace Michael Schumacher last year made an appearance at Auto Safety Centres on Widemarsh Street.

The company decided to raise funds for charity at the same time as changing its branding and its name to EasyFit Auto Safety Centre.

People had their picture taken in the car and took away a print for £3.

Proceeds will be donated to Acorns.

In August, EasyFit picked Acorns Hospice as its charity of the year.

Banking on pound for pound exchange

SIX slimmers shed pounds in order to drum up pounds for the Acorns Children's Hospice Appeal.

The staff at Worcester's Barclays Bank in High Street decided to get in trim after Hilary Mather, a cashier at the bank started the slimming club.

They paid £1 a week and weighed themselves every Friday in front of each other.

If anyone put on weight they had to pay £2.

A chart to display their weekly progress was placed on the wall behind the counter away from customers' eyes.

Joanne Holman, branch manager, lost 11lbs during the three month slimming period.

"We all did our own thing," said the 39-year-old from Birmingham.

"It was a one-off, and I am not disclosing my weight!

"We all knew we had to weigh in on Friday morning and we all watched each other.

"We raised £200, and Barclays matched what we raised pound for pound, so we were able to give Acorns £400."

"We chose Acorn's because we wanted something local," said Mrs Holman, who has been branch manager there for around two years.