Volunteers have a “crucial” role to play when a much-loved charity opens its giant new retail hub in March.

The ribbon is being cut at the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) store at Meadowlands on August 1.

As well as being a community shop, it will sell furniture and be a distribution centre for stores in Whittlesey, St Ives, Huntingdon, Ely, Soham and Downham Market.

Now the team are keen to hear from any would-be volunteers interested in getting involved and showing their support.

“It’s pretty ground-breaking from an EACH perspective,” said Jeni Baines, the charity’s shop and cluster manager for the north west.

“We’re all so excited and can’t wait to open.

“It’s a huge development – a big, bold move to expand our retail operation and support our vital work.

“Volunteers are a huge part of that and have a crucial role to play.

“We’re going to be open seven days a week and therefore keen to get as many people on board as possible.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to be part of something new and exciting and we’d be pleased to hear from anyone interested in finding out more.

“Just pop in, come and see us and take a look around.”

Members of the team will be in-store and available for a chat every weekday from today (15th July).

The ribbon will then be cut at 10am on Thursday, 1st August.

Volunteers can help in various ways, including serving customers, sorting and pricing donations, dressing windows and steaming clothes.

Other roles include being a driver’s mate, heading out to distribute goods, including collecting and dropping off furniture.

“This is going to be something of a super shop, combining different elements of our retail operation,” added Jenni.

“It’s going to be an all-in-one donation station, community and furniture shop, as well as being a much-needed regional distribution hub.

“Obviously we have community shops across the region, we have a hub serving other stores at Angora Road, in Colchester, and we sell furniture in Clacton.

“However, this is going to be a combination of all three.

“Around two-thirds of the shop will be dedicated to furniture, with the other third being a regular community shop selling things like clothes, books and bric-a-brac.

“Then out the back we’ll have the space to sort and send donations to Whittlesey, St Ives, Huntingdon, Ely, Soham and Downham Market.

“That, in turn, will alleviate some of the pressure on our Retail Distribution Centre, in Thetford. Logistically, it’s going to make a colossal difference.”

To find out more about volunteering generally, pop into your local shop, visit each.org.uk/volunteering, email volunteering@each.org.uk or call 01223 205183 (option four).