Forget Black Friday, Stationery Supplies in Marple is celebrating ‘Give Back’ Friday, collecting toiletries to donate to Mellor Country House, a charity providing short self-catering breaks for financially and socially disadvantaged families.
Not being a fan of the Black Friday discount shopping mayhem, owner of Stationery Supplies, Sarah Laker decided in 2017 instead of participating in Black Friday, she’d give back instead.
Over the past seven years, Stationery Supplies has supported local food banks, Moors for the Future, Christmas presents for teenage mums and the Wood Street Mission ‘Smart Start’ appeal.
This year the retailer is supporting Mellor Country House, a charity is dedicated to providing short self-catering breaks for groups, families, carers and individuals primarily from the nearby urban areas who could not, otherwise, have a break at all. The charity’s aim is to make a difference by providing a safe, secure, relaxing and uplifting environment for the financially and socially disadvantaged.
“After chatting with the lovely Sharon Adamson, who manages the house, we decided the thing she needed most was toiletries,” Said Sarah. “Many of the families who come to the house for a break have to prioritise essential food over toiletries so they need basic hygiene products.”
Sarah has collection boxes in the shop and has filled two and half boxes in just two and half days. “And we had a lovely donation of Marius Fabre soaps from Studio Pens who heard about our collection and wanted to support us,” says Sarah.
“I’ve been blown away by the support of our customers,” says Sarah. “This is a favourite charity locally, it’s the one I shaved my hair off for in lockdown.”