Contact centre prepares for Charity Shop Challenge

Two teams from a Sunderland contact centre will battle it out in an Apprentice-style competition in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Staff at EDF Energy will complete the ‘Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity Shop Challenge’, including trading for a full day in both the Sunderland and Houghton le Spring charity shops, with the highest earners crowned the winners.

The teams of six will compete under the guidance of project managers, including the collection and arrangement of stock, creating window displays, manning the shops and encouraging custom.

The staff have donated bags of goods to go towards stock at Marie Curie charity shops, including clothes, jewellery and toys, in order to raise money for free nursing care for people with terminal illnesses.

The competition aims to raise money for Marie Curie, generate extra stock and raise awareness of the shops within the community and encourage volunteers.

“EDF Energy staff are doing a brilliant job of fundraising and raising awareness about the work of Marie Curie,” said Katie Searles, Community Fundraiser at Marie Curie. “We provide care free of charge, and this would not be possible without the wonderful support of the generous public and staff at companies like theirs. We would like to say a huge thank you for everything they have done so far.”

The challenge is set to take place on Wednesday 13th November, at both the Sunderland shop on Maritime Street, and the Houghton Le Spring shop on Newbottle Street from 9:30am to 4pm.