A CHARITY shop that began life as a series of local jumble sales has raised more than £880,000 over its 50 year history.

The Yorkshire Cancer Research shop, in Romanby Road, Northallerton, is celebrating its half century, and volunteers are thanking customers and supporters in reaching the milestone.

Since 1965, it has raised £461,399 for the charity’s research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer – and money donated in the wills of former volunteers and customers in the Northallerton area brings the total raised over the five decades to £880,647.

The shop was first set up after a group of women in the town held a series of successful jumble sales. The first raised £15, the equivalent of an average man’s weekly wages.

The next sale raised £35 and eventually the group opened a shop in a room over an opticians’ in the town's High Street. The shop then moved to Barker’s Arcade before becoming a permanent fixture on Romanby Road.

Alan Dandy, joint-chairman of the voluntary committee which runs the shop, said: “I think people have supported the shop so well over the years because Yorkshire Cancer Research is a local charity and they know the money will stay in Yorkshire.”

The shop doubled its takings in less than a year from £16,000 in 2012 to £32,000 in 2013 after extending to include books and collectables.

Volunteers recently presented a cheque for £18,000 – the shop’s takings for the last six months - to the charity’s chief executive Charles Rowett.

Volunteer Enid Richardson, 84, who has been working at the shop for 25 years, said: “Someone suggested that I start volunteering at the shop and so I came in and started working and that was it – I’ve been here ever since.

“I just enjoy it and love mixing with people. We’re just a little part of the fight against cancer but it’s nice to know that we are doing our bit. Cancer is something that affects everyone in some way and we feel like we are doing something to help. I’ll keep going as long as I can.”

Charles Rowett added: “On behalf of Yorkshire Cancer Research, I’d like to pass on our thanks to all those who have been involved in the success of our Northallerton shop over the past 50 years. It’s an incredible achievement and testament to the hard work and dedication of each and every volunteer.”

For more information about Yorkshire Cancer Research visit www.ycr.org.uk.