A ROSS charity shop is celebrating after getting down to the final four in a national competition for Volunteer Team of the Year.

Out of 600 stores nationwide the Ross-on-Wye Oxfam store, on 46 Broad Street, reached the final four of the competition as the representative for Wales and the South West.

Alongside the Ross branch in the final were stores from Poulton-le-Fylde (North and Scotland), Colchester (Central East) and Streatham (South), with Streatham announced as this year’s winners.

Streatham won for amongst other things the compassion and care taken for the shop team and wider community in the wake of the Streatham terror attack, putting Oxfam values into action.

Due to Covid restrictions this year’s awards took place online via Zoom. Hosted by Head of Volunteer Engagement Matt Croxall, there was also a guest speaker from Nairobi, Amina Hersi who is Head of gender rights and justice advocacy and campaigns for Oxfam international.

During the awards all Oxfam volunteers were praised for their resilience during difficult times with the award for Team of the Year being presented by Oxfam Retail Director.

The Ross store was nominated by Shop Manager Lindsay Cole, with volunteer James Farr thanking Lindsay for the team’s nomination.

Speaking of her reasons for nominating the store, Lindsay said: “It was a real honour to be short listed for this prestigious award and I am extremely proud of my team of volunteers. I put forward the team for the award as they all consistently embrace the values of Oxfam – accountability, inclusivity and responsibility.

“As a part-time Manager it is essential that I have a team of reliable, responsible volunteers and I can truly say that I have a very skilled and talented team working in Ross. My volunteers are very hard working and enthusiastic and fully committed to supporting the aims of Oxfam.”