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 operaiton of the Store, and thanks to the generosity of our supporters, our recent struggles with ageing vans are now over. We now have two magnificent 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. On 12 February 2008 the Store and Manager Beverley Allardice were host to the sponsors to enable them to inspect the vans, to meet some of the volunteer helpers without whom the Store could not operate, and to learn a little more about what we do. Picture 3 shows assembled sponsors and helpers with members of local Lions Clubs and a £6,000 cheque presented by the Local Network Fund being captured by a Fleet News & Mail photographer.
The Store is staffed entirely by volunteers, with the help of several youngsters from local hostels. 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 16,000 families - in the course of which we have redistributed some 8,250 beds, 3,100 tables, 7,100 chairs, 4,800 chests of drawers, 2,500 wardrobes, 1,010 washing machines, 6,500 sets of bedding, 5,450 bags of clothing and other household items too numerous to list here.
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 nearbye areas.
We always 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. Please call us today - our telephone is often engaged, but please do keep trying - you will get through eventually.
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)
Opening hours:
We are 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.
Lions Community Store
off Basingbourne Road
Fleet
Tel. 01252 616998
