MEMBERS of a charity shop which will raise money for an important cause have thanked the Stroud community for their support since it opened on Saturday.
Safe Space – a group set up in the wake of attacks against women across the area – launched its pilot scheme the Night Angels on in December when nightclub Trio – the former Warehouse in London Road – opened to the public last year.
Since then the Night Angels have been patrolling the town centre, helping women get home safe and offering many types of help, on Fridays and Saturdays as well as during events such as Stroud Pride and Chalfest.
Now the group – led by Chrissie Lowery – are going to expand into Gloucester, as well as turning Craftology, in Union Street, into a charity shop to raise money for the Night Angels.
The shop opened on Saturday with Stroud mayor Tony Davey in attendance.
Ms Lowery said: “The shop will be selling retro and vintage clothing along with some small handmade items.
“There will be some Angel merchandise, shoes and bags.
“We also have a print shop for personalised and customised items.
“We are opening the Night Angels charity shop to help fund our service.
“We had an amazing response from the lovely Stroud community when we opened our Angel Shop.
“We had so much support, donations and sales, which will help fund our service and raise awareness too.
“The major of Stroud opened our Angel charity shop which will help fund our service in Stroud.
“We have attended over 160 incidents, taking the strain off of the emergency services and helping to keep the women of Stroud safe during the night.
“We feel very proud to have opened a shop and to also honour our Team Angel Sharon, who sadly passed away four months ago.
“Safe Space and the Night Angels are expanding the service into Gloucester City and Wiltshire.
“We will be opening a Safe Haven in Gloucester City and a charity shop in the city centre next month.
“We need volunteers for both Stroud and Gloucester to go on patrols (Friday and Saturday) and to run the charity shops.
“On Saturday, the mayor of Stroud officially opened the new shop.
“You can find us on Union Street just off the High Street at the old Swan pub building.”
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