A DORSET charity is celebrating after opening a fourth shop within the county to help with fundraising.

Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr Phil Stanley-Watts cut the ribbon with the help of Prama client Katie Hives on the new Prama store on Wimborne Road, Kinson. The store will help bring in more funds for the Christian-based charity, which offers housing support to older people.

Now they are looking for kind-hearted people to volunteer or give donations to their latest addition, headed up by shop manager, Avril Meechan, to work in partnership with their other stores at Parkstone, Tuckton and West Moors.

The charity works solely in and for the Dorset area, says Jeff Russell, chief executive of Prama, so all profits raised from their charity’s shops are fed back into the community.

He said: “Prama is the only care provider in Dorset that subsidises care in the area and we spent £15,000 doing so last year.”

He added: “We have incredible support from our clients and local residents as well.

“In addition, we have our new office for Bournemouth residents to call, so the care service that we deliver will be coming from within the area.”

Jon Fell, senior shops manager, said: “We need volunteers and donations, and we are one of the few shops that will accept electricals and furniture.

“The thing with us is that the more we sell, the more we can raise to help older people maintain their independence as much as possible.”

Cllr Stanley-Watts said: “I think that this shop and the office facility are very important for this area. I hope that local residents from Kinson and Bear Cross support the shop.

“I’m very grateful to everybody for the service they provide to older people.”

The shop was given a blessing by Father Bill Muir from Christ the King Catholic Church and the opening celebrations were attended by service-users of Prama.

For more information about Prama, please call 01202 207321 or to contact their Kinson branch about volunteering, call 01202 574557.