Charity Retail Association names 58 year old charity shop manager top in poll of workers from 10,000 charity shops

An Edinburgh man who helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for homeless and badly housed people in Scotland has been named the UK’s top charity shop worker.

Pete Jew, who manages Shelter Scotland’s Stockbridge shop – which is famous for its January launch events – won the accolade after fending off competition from fellow workers from some of the UK’s 10,000 charity shops.

The 58 year old, who has worked for Shelter Scotland for over 21 years, helps the charity to raise almost £7,000 per week – equal to around £364,000 per year.

Pete was recognised for his achievements at the Charity Retail Awards ceremony organised by the UK-wide Charity Retail Association (CRA).

“I feel very passionately about helping others, so if my work over the last two decades has helped even one person to escape homelessness or improved their housing situation, it’s been totally worth it,” an ecstatic Pete said.

“It’s an honour to work for an organisation which helps over half a million people in Scotland every year. It’s the cherry on top to be recognised with this award.

“I won’t let it go to my head and will be back to work tomorrow trying to raise as much money as possible, sorting weird and wonderful donations from our loyal supporters and trying to raise as much money as possible while having fun at the same time.”

Since joining Shelter Scotland, Pete has run 14 successful post-Christmas events, selling designer goods such as Dior, Burberry, Chanel and Armani. The much-anticipated annual events see crowds queuing outside in freezing temperatures for hours before opening – with Pete handing our hot drinks and snacks.

This year the team achieved sales worth £1,500 within the first 30 minutes of trading – that’s £50 a minute and enough to help over 150 families and individuals through the charity’s free national helpline.

I won’t let it go to my head and will be back to work tomorrow trying to raise as much money as possible

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, added: “Pete is a shining star in our retail team and goes to great lengths to ensure the shop thrives.

“We can’t thank him enough for his two decades of service at Shelter Scotland. He, along with our loyal supporters, customers and donors, has helped to raise vital funds for our work.

“Every penny our shops raise goes towards our fight to end homelessness and ensure that everyone has a safe, secure and affordable place to call home.”

Pete wasn’t the only Scottish success at the awards, which are in their ninth year.

John Smith, a 17 year old from Glasgow with a variety of debilitating conditions, took home the prize of Young Volunteer of the Year for his 16 hours a week volunteering also at a Shelter shop, this time in Prestwick.

Cults, the Aberdeen branch of Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, was named Shop Team of the Year.

Robin Osterley, chief executive of the CRA, said: “The CRA was proud to host what was a fantastic night which brought together so many people from across the sector and across the UK.

“The night was a great showcase for this innovative and important sector. We had an incredibly strong list of nominations and they, and all of the eventual winners should be very proud.”