A popular charity fundraising bookstall, which usually takes place at the United Church of Egham, is working hard to adapt to life under lockdown by selling online.
This means it can continue to provide reading material for people both locally and further afield, and can continue to raise much-needed funds for local charities.
The bookstall has been running for 20 years and in that time has raised over £100,000 for local good causes. It usually raises £1,000 per month, donating £500 to one of its local charity partners. It is completely reliant on donations, and normally has around 10,000 books, DVDs, CDs and vinyl on display in the United Church and outside on Egham High Street.
The bookstall is run entirely by volunteers and is a much-loved and well-used institution in the town.
Bookstall founder and co-ordinator, Graham Burrough, said: “We know that people are reading more than ever in lockdown and need to be able to source affordable books while remaining at home. We also want to continue fundraising for local causes which are currently restricted in how they can raise money.
Our volunteers are determined to continue selling in a way that complies with the current social distancing requirements. I’m so grateful that some of them have devoted themselves to running the online side of the bookstall. This takes up a tremendous amount of their time, and if it weren’t for their dedication we would not be able to carry on at the moment.”
Despite having to close the bookstall in lockdown, the organisers have continued to donate a slightly reduced amount to local charity partners from online sales. Some of the bookstall’s vast stock can be bought online, either directly from its eBay seller account ucefundraise or via eBay sellers mylovelybooks and br_foxy.
The more online purchases made, the greater the amount that can be donated to local charities. The full bookstall is due to re-open to the public when restrictions permit. In the meantime the bookstall’s eBay seller pages can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Further information on the bookstall, including details of its charity partners and amounts donated, can be found at http://www.united-church-of-egham.org.uk/calendar/book/.