Marjorie Gray’s Long Connection to Lanchester’s Red Cross Shop

The British Red Cross is a volunteer-led charity helping people in crisis, in the UK and around the world. It’s work helps people prepare for, cope with and recover from life’s toughest moments — all funded by donations and charity shops.

One of those shops is in Lanchester, where every donation or purchase of pre-loved clothes, books and homeware helps change lives locally and globally. The shop has a very special supporter in 98-year-old Marjorie Gray, its longest-serving volunteer. A familiar face for decades, Marjorie still pops in weekly for a chat. She’s known for her love of dancing, gardening and birdwatching — and believes dancing has kept her nimble well into her 90s.

For Marjorie, the best part of the shop is the people. From fellow volunteers to the shop team, it’s a place of friendship, laughter and community — and a perfect example of the spirit of the British Red Cross.

Story and photography by Juan Fitzgerald, Communities in Focus