The Fishermen’s Mission has chosen Helston as the place to open its first ever charity shop.

The charity said it planned to open the doors to its Meneage Street branch in late July.

Director of fundraising Alison Godfrey said: “We are really excited to be opening our first ever charity shop. We have been thinking about it for some time but were anxious to pick the right location for us.

“Helston is perfect. We have a very strong presence in the Cornwall area as fishing is such a key occupation for so many local people and their families.”

The charity has been supporting fishermen and their families in hard times for more than 130 years, both financially and pastorally, and has branches across the UK, including in Penzance.

It offered support to Porthleven’s fishermen when their boats had to be removed from the harbour for almost two months, as a result of the harbour walls being breached by waves during February’s storms.

Speaking of the charity’s support as a whole, Alison said: “During the recent winter storms we distributed £119,000 in emergency grant aid to more than 260 local fishermen and their families.

“We met so many fishermen during this time that we knew we needed to raise extra funds to support our work in the area. As we don’t receive any government funding or lottery support every penny is vitally important to us.

“The shop will be an opportunity for the community to help us to support local fishermen.”

She added that it would also provide the chance for people to get involved, by volunteering in the shop for a few hours a week.

Similarly, she said the shop would need items to sell.

“We would be extremely grateful for items that people can spare. Perhaps now the sun is beginning to shine and people are sorting out their summer clothes and putting winter ones away they may have something to spare to help us?” she said.

The charity is holding an open evening for people to offer to help, or to take along donated items, in the Sainsbury’s Café at Helston on Thursday, June 26, between 6pm and 8.30pm.

To volunteer or donate goods call 07917 754349 or email enquiries@fishermensmission.org.uk