THE South Cumbria community has pulled together to get through the impact of Covid-19, supporting local businesses and one another.

To say ‘Thank you’ for the support they have received from their customers since lockdown, Stollers Furniture World have given something back – a generous cheque to St Mary’s Hospice.

Trading since 1905, Stollers is a fourth generation family business, proud to have built strong relationships with their customers over many generations. Strong community ties and excellent service have helped to keep the business going through the difficulties of Covid. To show their appreciation for the support the community has shown to Stollers, the store have donated £10,000 to St Mary’s Hospice, a much loved local charity which in turn will continue to support the same community.

Owner Lee Stoller said: “We worked with the hospice during the whole of 2019 and saw the rewards not just to them but to us as a business and our staff.

"We were planning to build on the lessons learned for more events and activities in 2020, but of course Coronavirus put paid to that.

"We’ve always valued our customers, but the sense of community over the last few months that we have been part of has been inspiring. So this is more than a donation that we are making to the hospice – it’s a thank you to everyone that has shown us their support.

“St Mary’s responded to Covid in the calm and reassuring way we knew they would, but the impact on their ability to generate funds can’t be underestimated. We know that this gift will really make a difference, to families and patients at these exceptionally difficult times, and hope that others will be inspired to do likewise.”

The Stollers donation coincided with St Mary’s 2nd ‘Thank you’ day on October 23 2020. As the name suggests, it was a day when volunteers and staff connected with hospice supporters and simply thank them for their contribution, however big or small. A randomly generated list ensured that a broad cross section of donors may receive a call.

Head of Fundraising Helen Carlson said: “St Mary’s relies on the community it serves, and it’s wonderful to have received Stollers’ donation as their thank you to the community at the same time as we are showing our gratitude too.

"The generosity that we have seen, despite the challenges faced by so many since March, has been overwhelming.

"The last ‘Thank you’ day was so well received, and such a pleasure to do that we felt now was a good time to reach out again.”