Martin House Children’s Hospice will officially open a new shop in Skipton next week after moving to new premises in the town.

The brand new shop, in the former Craven College building at 34 High Street, will be officially opened by the Mayor of Skipton, Coun Winston Feather, with the help of Martin House family Bethany and Thomas Harrison on Wednesday 21 January at 10am.

Robyn Mountain Wade, director of income generation at Martin House, said: “This is an exciting new era for Martin House in Skipton. Our old shop on Sheep Street has been at the heart of the Skipton community for many years, but our new shop will offer so much more.

“We now have more space, enabling us to offer even more amazing bargains, and we are now on one floor, meaning our shop is more accessible to all of our customers.”

The Skipton shop is one of 14 Martin House shops and furniture showrooms around West, North and East Yorkshire, which together raise around £2.1 million a year for the charity.

Martin House provides 24/7 specialist care to children and young people with life-shortening conditions and their families, like Thomas Harrison, five, who has a rare genetic disorder and has been supported by Martin House for the last four years.

His mum Bethany said: “Martin House is a lifeline and a lifesaver – we just could not manage without its support. You and your child are put at the centre, it’s genuine care, and the people who work there are just really special people.”

Robyn added: “Our shops play a vital part in raising the money we need to support families like Thomas’s with the specialist care they rely on.

“So we’re delighted that our new Skipton shop now has a new start in a new location, where customers can shop, donate and even volunteer, knowing they are supporting hundreds of families.”

For more details about the Skipton shop’s opening hours, how to donate or volunteer, or to find out more about how to support Martin House, visit its website at www.martinhouse.org.uk.