A TEAM of charity shop volunteers whose work with a longstanding borough organisation ended in some acrimony are ready to bounce back and help the animals.

For many years a group of ladies volunteered to work in the Thurrock Cerebral Palsy shop in Corringham but the charity folded last year and the ladies were told they were no longer wanted.

As reported by Thurrock Nub News in December (see story via the red information button below) the volunteers were angry about a lack of information and they questioned what had happened to the charity's funds and what processes had been put in place to ensure the interest of local people who had supported the charity over many years were best served.

It remains unclear what has happened to the charity's assets though it appears most of them are earmarked to support the sister Children's First charity which runs from a building at the back of the charity shop on Lampits Hill.

In December Thurrock Nub News was assured everything was in order and statements would be made in due course about what was happening.

Closely involved with both charities is was local man Bob Jupitus, whose comedian son and celebrity Phill Jupitus became the Society's patron.

Bob has taken a strong lead in managing both charities but declined to speak on the record last December, particularly about the relationship between the Cerebral Palsy charity's chairperson Tracie Strizovic and the volunteers, which became very acrimonious. There has been no comment since.

This week Thurrock Nub News spoke to the Charities Commission, asking what it understood was happening and we were told: "We were made aware of a potential merger between the Thurrock Cerebral Palsy Society and Kids First last year.

"The charities contacted the Commission last year seeking advice about the matter.

"We advised of the charity law requirements, but confirmed that any decision about whether or not to merge the charities was a decision for trustees to make.

"We have not heard further from the charities on this matter.

"Any decision to merge charities should be made in accordance with charity law, as well as in the best interests of the charities and the beneficiaries they serve.

"We understand the local interest in this matter; we expect charities to work to inspire trust of those they are set up to help, including in how they communicate any changes to people affected."

With time on their hands, the volunteer ladies have been contemplating what to do and are about to launch a new charity shop in adjacent premises.

The new shop will be trading as Corringham Animal Aid from 61 Lampits Hill.

One of the volunteers, Janet Deeney, is hoping the local community will rally round, saying: "Please can you help us, we are animal lovers, who are opening a charity shop on Lampits Hill.

"Our aim is to support the organisations for the welfare of animals, a country-wide dog rescue service and locally-based cat sanctuaries.

"We are appealing for donations of things we can sell and hope you can help, by donating any good clean clothing, bric a brac, bed linen, or household items, crockery, cutlery, etc.

"Much smaller premises limits us to smaller furniture items only – sorry.

"If you donated in the past to Thurrock Cerebral Palsy Society, at their shop at 43-45 Lampits Hill, we were their hard working shop volunteers, so, you will recognise us, in this new charity shop at no 61.

"Now we're in charge and running this shop here, and the ladies look forward to seeing you all, and re-establishing old and new much valued friends and acquaintances.

"In order for us to use the shop and start trading, we need the following.

"It's a really big ask of people, but, we are starting from scratch, literally.

"These items would be extremely useful: plastic coat hangers, freestanding shelving units, bookshelves, in fact any Units we can use for displays.

"And a cash register if you happen to know of anyone who has an old one.

"Finally any fridge for staff use in shop and a few chairs for the odd tea breaks!"

The ladies are hoping to open their new shop on Tuesday 17 March and Janet adds: "We're happy to collect any items you may have beforehand, but can't get them here.

"Please, please, do not leave any items outside the shop before we open as we do not have access until 16 March."

The new charity's contact number is 07811 634429.