VOLUNTEERS will be offering a selection of Christmas cards at Central Methodist Church in Launceston this year, with money benefiting a number of charities through Cards for Good Causes.

Twenty-eight national and local charities will be represented at Launceston Central Methodist Church this year, each offering a larger selection of Christmas cards than ever. Among these are 26 national and two local charities.

Forty volunteers will run the shop for six weeks until December 7, so people have plenty of time to buy a card for friends and family, as well as supporting a number of important charities.

Lavinia Archer, who runs the annual shop in Central Methodist Church, which has been selling Christmas cards to the community for 15 years, said: “The volunteers all say they look forward to helping each year, and would be upset if they were not invited to take part! Some are representing a charity they are passionate about, some simply enjoy catching up with people they rarely see, some relish the chance to meet new people.

“Others, like me, who are no longer able to be as active in the community as they once were, appreciate the opportunity to still be able to play a part in helping to make a difference. Two of this year’s volunteers have been helping since the shop first opened 15 years ago, most have been involved for almost all of that time, and four are new this year.”

The shop will run until December 7, and volunteers welcome people into Central Methodist Church, offering tea, coffee and biscuits as customers browse the collection of cards on sale.

Lavinia continued: “It’s a lovely thing to do. Sometimes we have friends that come in to see us, sometimes they are completely new. It’s nice to meet up with everyone and it’s a nice, easy thing to do. The volunteers all have their own special charities they might want to focus on, and it’s lovely to welcome people into Central, have a chat and tell them about what goes on.

“We try to raise as much money as possible each year, and we’re lucky to have Central. The scheme raises millions every year, and we raise thousands to add to the pot.

“It’s a good place to buy your cards, and people like to take the time to come in and see us. You could spend half an hour looking and just buy one pack of cards and that’s absolutely fine, we don’t mind. It’s just nice to be able to raise money for some good causes.”

As Cards for Good Causes is celebrating 60 years of selling Christmas cards, Lavinia also plans to provide a cake for everyone towards the end of the six weeks.

For more information about Cards for Good Causes, visit www.cardsforcharity.co.uk