SIR: Fifty years ago, the very first charity shop was opened in Oxford to raise money for Oxfam.

The idea was such a success that Oxfam now has about 850 shops, and other charities have taken up the idea so that there are more than 6,500 charity shops across the UK.

The Astley Bridge Oxfam shop has only been open about 23 or 24 years, but is very busy indeed, with many regular donors and customers, and a keen and active group of volunteers. We are proud of the support our income provides for Oxfam's work in aid and development all over the world.

Because of illness and retirement, we urgently need more helpers to join the team, so if anyone would like to volunteer for this interesting and rewarding work they would be warmly welcomed.

Chris Cresswell

(Oxfam shop helper)

Brookside Close, Bolton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.