Anne's excellent commitment to Oxfam in Oldham

Anne Watson receives her award from Oxfam's Head of Retail Jane Randrup

Oxfam, the international development and aid charity, recognised the exceptional work of Anne Watson, a worker at the Oldham shop, when they made their 2017-18 Trading Excellence Awards.

Anne, the volunteer deputy manageress at the Oldham Oxfam shop, stepped in to take charge when the manageress was on long-term sick leave.

Along with the team of volunteers she has kept the shop running and serving the public for more than a year: a job she is still tackling until a new manageress is appointed. 

This is the second time in the last three years that Anne has taken charge of the shop in similar circumstances.

Anne said: “I am honoured to receive this award, but it would not have been possible to keep the shop running without the support and hard work of the excellent team of volunteers we have here in Oldham.

"Their combined expertise and hard work contribute to the success of the shop.”

Last week, Oxfam’s Head of Retail, Jane Randrup, was in Oldham to present the award to Anne.

She praised her dedication to Oxfam over the 20 years since she first began working at the town shop.

The occasion was also used to highlight the work of the Oldham volunteers, who were awarded gold, silver or bronze badges according to the length of time they have worked for the charity. 

Jane Randrup summed up the remarkable history of the shop in Oldham since it first opened in the town 47 years ago.

In that time the volunteers have raised almost one and a half million pounds for the work of the charity.

Anne has urged anyone who has some time to spare to go along and volunteer at the shop as more workers are always needed.

There is plenty of interesting and rewarding work to do.

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