TEDDINGTON’S FARA KIDS CHARITY SHOP TO MOVE NOT FARA WAY – ACROSS THE STREET!
The popular FARA Kids charity shop in Teddington’s High Street next door to Marks & Spencer is moving to bigger premises to cope with increasing demand and the generosity of the local community.
But they are not going far away….
They are setting up their new shop bang opposite their current premises and right across the road. They plan to be open for business from August 12.
Work has already started to prepare the shop, which is expected to require more volunteer staff.
The charity says it desperately needs bigger premises especially with the number of prams and buggies it now stocks and the lease on the current shop is due to expire. The current shop will close this coming Sunday (August 6) at 4pm.
A spokesperson for FARA told Teddington Town: “The money we raise in our shops continues to support our programmes which help transform the lives of the most disadvantaged children, young people and families in Romania. We also provide support for Ukrainian refugees in Romania.
“We’re always hugely grateful for stock donations and the generous support of the local Teddington community.”
FARA Charity UK was founded in 1991 by Jane Nicholson, after she visited Romania to see first-hand the cruelty inflicted within state run orphanages during the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu.
For the past 3 decades, FARA has successfully provided a lifeline to over 10,000 beneficiaries and has expanded its reach over the years from one home for rescued children, to community-based programmes supporting families to stay together, building a stronger future for Romania.
The charity, which also has a separate shop in Broad Street, Teddington, launched a fund-raising campaign to support Ukraine called Solidarity for Ukraine which enabled the charity to support 2000 refugees with food, medical help, longer term options for shelter and support with ongoing journeys. They also provided 12 tonnes of aid directly into the war zone, for people unable to leave Ukraine.
The existing shop in High Street, which has a large two bedroom flat above, has been put on the market for £850.000. According to local estate agents, John D. Wood, the property was completely refurnished in 2004 with a new roof, new plumbing, new wiring and newly laid floors.
It is situated in a prime location adjacent to Marks & Spencer and the Teddington Hardware shop as well as the King’s Head pub.
The commercial element, which has been a successful retail unit for many years, is available from August this year. The current tenant is paying £24.000 per annum. And the accommodation includes the air conditioned shop, rear office space, kitchenette and bathroom.
The estate agents says the residential unit, which has separate rear access by entry phone is a ‘very large apartment’ arranged over two levels with a huge living room, two double d]bedrooms, a bathroom and spacious kitchen with tenants paying £15.000 per annum.