News June 30, 2025
At the Charity Retail Awards ceremony and gala dinner on Wednesday 25 June in Harrogate, the winners of the Charity Retail Awards were announced.
The Charity Retail Awards are sponsored by
1st Waste Management
Providing businesses and charities with full service waste solutions.
Celebrating the remarkable achievements of the charity retail sector, recognising individuals and organisations that are making an exceptional contribution.
Our Awards ceremony hosts were Robin Osterley OBE, Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association, and Emma King, Retail Director at Weston Hospicecare. The trophies were presented by Emma Peake, CRA Chair and Mike Nicol of Charity Retail Awards sponsor - 1st Waste Management.
HUGE congratulations to ...
Young Volunteer of the Year: Harmonie Madders, Oxfam GB
Harmonie has shown an outstanding level of commitment during her time volunteering with a direct and measurable impact on the performance of the shop and setting an example of leadership through her actions.
Volunteer of the Year: Ray Goodman, Martin House Children's Hospice
Ray saw an opportunity to make more money from the huge volume of books, DVDs and CDs donated to the hospice, and so started a book and media department, raising many thousands of pounds going direct to patient care.
Retail Employee of the Year: Sue Wallbanks, USPCA
Sue has consistently demonstrated remarkable dedication, passion, and leadership in USPCA's Banbridge charity store in Northern Ireland. Her commitment shines through in every aspect of her role.
Shop of the Year: USPCA, Lurgan
The Lurgan store delivered an outstanding financial performance in the last financial year, surpassing its annual sales target, seeing a substantial increase in footfall, volunteer engagement, donations and more.
Campaign of the Year: Mystery Bags, Havens Hospices
Mystery bags drive more traffic to their online store, thereby increasing sales. Offering this new product helps to diversify their audience. Each bag contains four items, with a mix of economy and value-based pricing.
The Leadership Award: Steve Samra, Compton Care
Steve joined Compton Care in 2021 as Head of Retail Projects, progressing to Commercial Director. His rapid progression reflects his authentic leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to elevate the role of retail within the charity.
Most Supportive Chief Executive: Steph Edusei, St Oswald's Hospice
Steph relentlessly champions retail as a vital part of St Oswald's Hospice, recognising the positive impact it has on the hospice, the wider community and our environment.
Supplier of the Year category A: The Charity Retail Consultancy
Supplier of the Year category B: Eproductive
Supplier of the Year category C: Acopia
The Technology Award: Vision Ireland for Connecting communities: Technology-driven storytelling
Vision Ireland Retail has transformed social media into a core operational tool, reimagining it as more than just a marketing channel, utilising platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to bring our charity retail operations to life.
Environmental and Sustainability Award: Vision Ireland for Circular Initiatives
Vision Ireland has implemented circular initiatives to maximise reuse and significantly reduce waste. Each initiative is rooted in these goals: to cut carbon and demonstrate that sustainability can be stylish, practical, and impactful.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award: Shelter
Once more Shelter are the well-deserved winners of this award with a raft of measures taken to promote equity, diversity and inclusion that charity retail can take as a glowing example.
The Social Value Award: Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd
SATCoL's shops delivered a record performance, served millions of customers and opened new stores. They launched their Social Impact Log to capture previously unrecorded free provision that shops provide to people in the community.
Outstanding Charity Retailer of the Year: St Peter’s Hospice
St Peter’s Hospice has achieved record-breaking success in retail. This milestone follows four consecutive years of growth, despite operating five fewer stores, showcasing the strength of their strategy, innovation, and people.
“From supporting communities to protecting the planet, charity shops drive positive lasting change. The Charity Retail Awards recognise the impact that exceptional organisations and individuals are making and we were delighted to present the winners with their awards at our annual conference and awards ceremony. Congratulations to all the winners on their well-deserved awards.”
Robin Osterley OBE, Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association
June 6, 2025
The Reuse Logo - the more we reuse, the less we waste.
April 23, 2025
A blog by the Charity Retail Association board of directors - giving their take on the state of the sector.
June 2, 2025
If you haven’t already booked your tickets for conference this year, you’ve only got two weeks’ left as booking will close at 12noon on Monday 16 June.