York | Archive | 2002 | October | 23
From the Evening Press, first published Wednesday 23rd Oct 2002.
A FESTIVE card shop, which aims to give a bumper Christmas present to charities in York and across the UK, was opened in the city today.
BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration was happy to do the official duty at Cards for Good Causes, which has been set up at Martin-le-Grand Church, in Coney Street.
The presenter, who lives in York, sold a couple of items to customers before launching the annual fundraising shop.
He said: "I am delighted to be here today to endorse this wonderful shop for Christmas.
"I just hope that a lot of people will come in and the charities will prosper. I know I'm going to buy some cards today and have a good look round."
Christmas cards, wrapping paper, Advent calendars and decorations are on sale in the shop, and 47 charities, including York Minster, Yorkshire Cancer Research and Candlelighters, will benefit. A total of 81p in every £1 goes straight to the good causes.
Area organiser Pat Radcliffe said: "We have 90 volunteers from York who are giving their time for free.
"Nationally last year we run just under 300 shops and managed to raise £5 million for all the charities.
"If people are going to buy Christmas cards they might as well do some good with them - and this does a lot of good."
Updated: 15:27 Wednesday, October 23, 2002
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