News Campaigns April 3, 2025

All systems go for The Big Lunch – pass it on!

We're encouraging charity retailers to participate in The Big Lunch, an annual event promoting community engagement, by hosting events or collaborating with existing ones to enhance visibility and support fundraising efforts.

Invite everyone to the table this year to help feed community spirit

The Big Lunch is inviting everyone across the UK to get together in their communities to share friendship and food on 7-8 June this year.

An idea from the Eden Project, The Big Lunch started in 2009 and has become the UK’s annual celebration for neighbours and the biggest community-led fundraiser, helping to raise over £100m for good causes so far.

A Big Lunch can be anything from a bite to eat with a few neighbours to parties for the whole street, and anything in between. It’s fun, it’s easy and it’s for everyone, so download your free party planning pack and make your community the place to be this June!

Get your free pack – TheBigLunch.com

Preloved homewares perfect for The Big Lunch.

A Big Lunch held by Emmaus UK.

Create bunting from rags.

The world of charity retail

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One of UK’s largest charity department stores welcomes its first customers

March 24, 2025

Emmaus Preston transformed a former Debenhams into a 120,000-square-foot charity department store, reopening on March 14 to support individuals overcoming homelessness.

The CRA’s most northerly member!

March 17, 2025

The Charity Retail Association welcomes Yell for Cancer Support, a Shetland-based charity shop on the island of Yell, as its most northerly member.

Winning students makeover St Margaret’s shops

March 7, 2025

Bridgwater College fashion students won the ‘Wex Window Display Install’ competition earning them the opportunity to redesign St Margaret’s Hospice shop windows in Taunton and Bridgwater. Their creative ‘Spring Rainy Day’ displays offered both fresh visual appeal and valuable real-world retail experience.