PEOPLE across Ayrshire are being urged to help charity shops get back to the business of beating cancer as retail restrictions lift this spring.

The doors of the Cancer Research UK superstore at Riverway Retail Park, Irvine opened again to customers on Monday.

Irvine superstore manager Amanda Leesaid: “COVID-19 has hit us hard. Our shops typically contribute more than £25million each year to vital research, so we need to enlist the support of the whole community to help us fight back.

“Shopping really can save lives. That’s why we’re calling on everyone who’s had a spring-clean, wardrobe detox or cupboard clear out in lockdown to please bag up and bring in any unwanted items.

“Right now, we need quality clothing, shoes, books, homeware and accessories to help keep our tills – and bargain hunters – busy. Most important of all, the sale of these items helps to ensure we can keep making progress for people with cancer.

“We’re also on the lookout for volunteers to help with sorting and preparing donations and to serve in our shops. It’s ‘all hands on deck’ to help tackle the devastating loss of funding we’re facing.”

Donations can be dropped off at the Irvine superstore from today.

Mornings are preferred for drop off.