Following its recent appeal for volunteers in the Elmbridge Guardian, the Sam Beare Hospice shop in Walton is celebrating after several people came forward to help.

The High Street shop’s appeal highlighted the problem that fewer people were giving their time for free as a result of the recession.

Dorte Johansen, shop manager, said: “The responses we’ve had has been really promising, but so far we only have one confirmed new member of the team, so we’d really like to encourage more people to come forward.

“Many people seem very surprised not only by the wonderful feel of our shop, but also that we can be very flexible in regards to when they give their time, which we hope will encourage more to come forward.”

The shop aims to recruit six new volunteers to join the team. For more information, visit wsbhospices.co.uk/join-us/volunteering.