Community Store
OUR MISSION is to recycle redundant household goods, appliances, clothing etc to benefit genuinely needy people in the area we serve and thereby reduce unnecessary waste to the advantage of the environment. At the same time we provide valuable work experience and skills development for many or our volunteer helpers.
All the people we help are referred to us by their Social Workers or other supporting organisation as being in genuine need.
Every month we receive over 300 requests for household items, bedding and clothing, which are generously donated by members of our community.
Reliable transport is essential to the operation of the Store, and thanks to the generosity of our supporters, our recent struggles with ageing vans are now over. We now have two excellent Renault Master vans, one donated to us by RocketUK, the other purchased with funds provided by the many local sponsors whose logos appear on the vehicles and with whose help we are able to run and maintain both vans. Since they were unveiled on12 February 2008 the vans have been in service 4 days a week and are familiar sights on the streets of Fleet and the other communities we serve. Pictured right above, assembled sponsors, helpers and members of local Lions Clubs together with a £6,000 cheque presented by the Local Network Fund pose for a Fleet News & Mail photographer in February 2008.
The Store is staffed entirely by volunteers, with the help of several youngsters from local hostels and other agencies. We have no regular funding, and are entirely dependant on donations from local people and organisations, so to continue this vital project we constantly need to raise funds. All donations and help with fundraising will be much appreciated, and volunteer helpers are always welcomed with open arms.
Since 1995 we have helped over 20,000 families - in the course of which we have redistributed some 9,000 beds, 3,600 tables, 8,000 chairs, 5,600 chests of drawers, 2,800 wardrobes, 1,100 washing machines, 7,000 sets of bedding, 5,660 bags of clothing and other household items too numerous to list here. All in all between 1995 and the end of 2008 we redistributed a total of 59,700 items.
The Store is operated by Fleet Lions Club with the valued support of other local Lions Clubs. The majority of the people we help are in Hart and Rushmoor, with lesser numbers in Farnham, Yateley, Hook, Odiham and other adjoining areas.
Since the onset of the current financial crisis, referrals for our services have reached record levels, whilst at the same time donations have declined somewhat. Please note that, unlike many local charity shops and other similar enterprises, we do not sell any of the items donated to us. Everything is distibuted free, although we do have a make a minimal delivery charge to cover our fuel costs.
We urgently need more furniture, bedding and clothes and especially "white goods" (washing machines, fridges, fridge/freezers, electric cookers). If you have any suitable items we will collect them at a time to suit you. Naturally there are some things we are unable to accept, due to legal, storage, handling or insurance requirements. If you do have something to donate please call us today to discuss - our telephone is often engaged, but please do keep trying - you will get through eventually. Alternatively please use the email contact form below.
MBE for Store Manager Beverley
Since the Store was established in 1995, its successful operation has been entirely dependant on the management skills and extraordinary dedication of Manager Beverley Allardice. In recognition of this outstanding contribution to the local community Beverley was appointed MBE in 2002. A very well deserved accolade.
Beverley meeting the Queen 
and being interviewed for TV .jpg)
Beverley Given Lions Honour
In December 2008, Fleet Lions honoured Beverley with a Melvyn Jones Fellowship, Lions highest award as instituted by Lions founder Melvyn Jones.
This award recognised Beverley's extraordinary ongoing contribution to the Lion's principle of community service by running the Fleet Community Store for over 30 years, for the last 14 of which it has been a Lions project.
.jpg "Bev receives award from Lion Vice President Tom")
Beverley receives the MJF award from Lion Vice President Tom Sayers at The Lismoyne Hotel in December 2008
Opening hours:
The Store is open Tue, Wed, Thu 10:15am - 3:30pm, Fri 10:30am - 1:00pm. If you have items to donate, please telephone to make arrangements for collection or delivery or use the form below. The Store compound is always extremely busy, and for safety reasons we would prefer visitors to telephone to make a prior appointment.
Lions Community Store
off Basingbourne Road
Fleet
Tel. 01252 616998
