The new charitable venture is the brainchild of Margie Booth (left) and Sandy Johns (right) who met while volunteering and quickly realised they shared a passion for thrift and helping sick kids.
Camera IconThe new charitable venture is the brainchild of Margie Booth (left) and Sandy Johns (right) who met while volunteering and quickly realised they shared a passion for thrift and helping sick kids. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie d479727

New Scarborough op-shop to support Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation

Laura PondStirling Times

TWO volunteers banded together to open an op-shop in Scarborough, the first supporting Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Doubleview resident Sandy Johns and Margie Booth approached the foundation with the idea to start an op-shop six months ago.

“We just decided we’d like to start something on our own and Perth Children’s Hospital was our choice as a charity,” Ms Johns said.

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“We went and spoke to them and they were really keen.”

They found a vacant store on Scarborough Beach Road, part of what she described as an “op-shoppers’ Mecca”.

It was set up at a low cost, with most furniture, materials and work donated, and Ms Johns said the response since opening in January was “fabulous”.

She said shoppers were glad to find a bargain while helping sick WA children and one customer had travelled from Willetton to visit.

“It’s very rewarding, it’s very exciting,” she said.

“The feedback we’ve had thus far has been extremely positive.”

The “beautiful” store offers plenty of upmarket clothing for women, men and children, along with books, homewares, toys, DVDs, CDs and jewellery, and all sales profits are directed to the foundation.

“The money stays here and helps sick children in WA,” she said.

“One of my children was very, very sick when he was two-and-a-half.

“We were in PMH for quite a few weeks and they were just amazing.”

Foundation chief executive Carrick Robinson said they were delighted when Ms Johns and Ms Booth proposed the idea.

“Love for fashion and children is definitely a winning combination, and the feedback we’re gaining from customers is that they can shop with abandon because all the money spent in Sweet Charity goes to supporting WA children, so it really is a win-win combination,” he said.

The pair have plans to create a second store south of the river and their vision is for a chain of the charity shops.

Sweet Charity is at 164C Scarborough Beach Road, Scarborough and open 9.30am to 4.30pm from Monday to Saturday.

Donations can dropped off at the store.

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