THE Hedgehogs have become the most recent charity to benefit from a £1,000 donation from the Downing Street Charity Shop.

On presenting the cheque, Lady Tindle, who set up the shop in 1988, thanked everyone for coming and said: “It’s lovely to be here and see everybody again, and it’s wonderful to be in the freshly painted shop.

“It gives me great pleasure to pass on the girl’s hard-earned money to the Hedgehogs.”

Each time £1,000 is raised from sales in the shop, the money is donated to a good cause. The cheque was presented to The Hedgehogs last Thursday and will be used to help “everybody and anybody, as long as the cause is worthy”, according to the charity’s chairman, Salvatore Mezzullo.

He added: “We are absolutely over the moon to get £1,000. When you have a look at the prices of some of the stuff in here, children’s clothes for £1 and belts for 50p, the amount of stock that must have been moved to come up with £1,000 is superb, absolutely superb. We’re overwhelmed and very, very grateful as well.”

In the past, The Hedgehogs have helped struggling parents pay for children’s school uniform, school trips, installed stairlifts, bought wheelchairs and more. They also have marquees, tables and chairs available to hire. Last year, the charity raised and donated around £50,000 to individuals and charities across the Farnham area.

For more information about The Hedgehogs, visit www.the-hedgehogs.org.uk.