Knowledge Hub
The founding member of one of Concern’s first charity shops has been honoured for her lifetime dedication.
Nellie Hill, who recently celebrated her 95th birthday, helped set up the Concern second-hand shop in Newcastle, Co Down, along with a team of volunteers, in 1992 in response to the humanitarian crisis in Somalia.
Since then, the shop – now based on Main Street - has raised £1.83 million for our work with communities around the world tackling extreme poverty.
At a special meeting, Nellie and the shop volunteers were presented with a plaque from Concern highlighting their dedication and commitment over the years.
“It really is unbelievable,” said Nellie. “We thought the shop would only be open for a short time. We had no idea that after 30 years, we’d still be around, and still raising money for such a good cause.”
It was news of a devastating famine in Somalia in 1992, in which more than 300,000 people died, which inspired Nellie to act.
“I had a flash in the middle of the night that my sister, Molly, and I could set up a shop to raise funds to help people who were in desperate need,” Nellie said.
“The next day on the way to the post office, I spoke to a friend about it. She was good with money and agreed to become treasurer. She had friends and they came on board too. And that’s how it grew. We didn’t have much experience, but we learned quickly.
“We didn’t expect the shop to stay open for long. In fact, we thought it would only last a week, depending on what people would donate. And as it was, we were overwhelmed with donations.
“I remember a young couple who were just married donated a lot of wedding presents they didn’t want. They were brand new and sold quickly.”
The shop opened on 4 December 1992 in temporary premises on Central Promenade beside the Broadway Café, before moving to its current spot at the Shopping Centre on Main Street.
It has been trading for more than three decades, and is completely run by a team of hard-working volunteers.
“This is a tremendous lifetime achievement on Nellie’s part,” said Jackie Trainor, Concern’s Northern Ireland Director.
“Her vision and drive made something that was just a dream come true. Nellie and the other dedicated volunteers can be very proud of what they have accomplished. The impact they have made on the lives of people facing crises around the world over the years is incredible.”
If you would like to volunteer or donate items, call into the Concern Worldwide shop on Main Street or visit one of our seven other shops.
