STAFF and volunteers at Rowcroft Hospice’s Newton Abbot-based distribution centre are celebrating its first birthday and contributing to a £100,000 rise in income.

The centre on Brunel Industrial Estate centrally sorts and distributes all donations to Rowcroft’s 12 charity shops to ensure each is stocked with items suitable for its customer base.

In the 12 months since it opened, it has contributed to a £100,000 rise in sales income for the hospice.

Caroline Wannell, associate director of retail at the hospice, explained: ‘We have carefully planned a number of retail developments in the last year which have contributed to the rise in our sales income.

‘The opening of the distribution centre has further strengthened this.

‘We now have a greater awareness of the stock that’s being donated and are able to distribute it appropriately and fairly among our shops.’

The Torquay shop which is in Union Street previously struggled for stock because of limited parking deterring people from stopping to drop off goods.

Since the distribution centre opened, there has been an increase in sales performance as it is now entirely stocked from the centre.

The centre has also allowed the hospice to develop its online sales, quadrupling income generated by its eBay shop.

More income has also been brought in from scrapping materials it is unable to sell.

Caroline added: ‘We are delighted that the distribution centre has proved such a success for the hospice, helping to generate increased income to support patients and families across south Devon to get the most out of every day.’

Attached to the distribution centre is Rowcroft’s second furniture outlet which has also brought in additional income from sales of furniture, white goods, electricals, bric-a-brac, shabby chic furniture.

There is also a donation drop-off point.