HEADLINE making MP Boris Johnson took time out of his busy schedule to support national charity Shaw Trust's work in Thame.
The Conservative backbencher, who won a Channel 4 award as the person who made the biggest impact on British politics last year, cut the ribbon to officially reopen the charity's refurbished high street shop on Friday February 18.
The MP for Henley on Thames met staff, volunteers and customers who have helped to make the shop one of the Trust's most successful, even though the sales area was the smallest in the country.
"I am delighted to be supporting Shaw Trust this Friday by opening their newly refurbished store," he said.
"Shaw Trust works tremendously hard locally and I am very happy to support them on this occasion."
Shaw Trust provides training and work opportunities for over 35,000 disabled and disadvantaged people across the UK each year. It has a network of 27 charity shops in the South, Midlands and Wales including sites at Wantage, Didcot, Bicester and Thame in Oxfordshire - and a further 251 vocational projects throughout the country.
The Thame shop was opened nine years ago, and has been closed for two weeks to allow for refitting to provide more book retail space. Fittingly, Boris signed copies of his first novel Seventy Two Virgins, which is due out in paperback in May.
"Books are very popular in Thame," explained Tessa Lancaster, regional manager for Shaw Trust Retail.
"Thame may have our smallest sales areas, but the shop does very well indeed for both donations and sales. Indeed the opening day turned out to be a great day for sales with record sales of £1,400 achieved with Boris' help.We have a fantastic team of staff and dedicated volunteers. We are absolutely delighted that Boris Johnson has agreed to support our work, and welcome the opportunity to publicise what we do in Thame."
Any of your readers who would like to find out more about the Trust, or would like to offer their services as a volunteer can call us on 01844 218259 or log onto our website www.shaw-trust.org.uk."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Shaw Trust is a 23 year-old national charity, which is internationally recognised as one of the leading authorities in disability, disadvantage and employment.
2. We provide training and work opportunities to people disadvantaged in the labour market due to disability, ill health, or other social circumstances.
3. There are 27 Shaw Trust charity shops, run by paid staff, backed up by over 180 volunteers. The Thame refurbishment is part of a programme to revamp existing shops and add on new sites.
4. To contact Shaw Trust Thame, please telephone 01844 218259, and speak to manager Vi Bonney.
5. For further details about Boris Johnson MP, you can contact Karen Bradley, Secretary at Central and South Oxfordshire Conservative Group 01491 612852, torykaz@btconnect.com
6. Boris Johnson's first novel Seventy Two Virgins is published in hardback (0-00-719590-7) by Harper Collins, rrp £17.99. It is due out in paperback in May. For further information please contact Helen Johnstone on 020 8307 4412 or email Helen.Johnstone@harpercollins.co.uk
7. Shaw Trust also delivers 33% of the government's Job Broking programme (freephone 0800 085 1001), part of the government's New Deal for Disabled People. This is a specialist provision, delivering a return to work service for those currently in receipt of incapacity and sickness benefits.
8. The Trust has launched a nationwide Break the Chains campaign (www.breakthechains.org.uk) to liberate thousands trapped on Incapacity Benefit.
9. For general media enquiries and for copies of our photographer's pictures of Mr Johnson's visit, please contact Shaw Trust's Regional PR Manager Josie Hoskins on 07779 317793. Or you can email crucial@dircon.co.uk or click onto www.shaw-trust.org.uk
