11/09/2026
So 9 years today, I opened the doors on my little shop on London Road. Present day, we moved the shop into town, I brought 2 people into the business each offering something different and it has been 100% the best decision for myself and Help Our Town.
We have had wonderful volunteers and currently have great people working with us.
We have built up a network of organisations who we work with, where we are able to help those less fortunate and who maybe are down on their luck.
This summer has been a blast, doing the treasure / cash hunt given out £700+ in cash £200 in vouchers, during the summer holidays. We knew how expensive the summer holidays can be for parents, doing this got the children out and about and exploring a bit of Dover with a cash or voucher reward at the end of it. And we still have the grand finale 'Where's Wally' on the 19th September.
We gave over 1000 bottles of water out free during the summer months. Helped numerous people during this time who were referred to us through the organisations we work with. Given out free toys, dog treats to the many dog visitors we have. Adopted the massive planter at the front of the shop.
We were also in a position to pay for an advertising board at Dover Athletic Fc, and full page advert in the programme each home match. Included in this was a donation towards the youth setup at the football club.
We were also able to sponsor and purchase the kit bags for the Dover Sharks girls rugby team. We paid towards free skateboarding lessons at Pencester Gardens also.
Doing all of this while trying to have a life away from the shop. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made. Doing what we do, we have to have 100% commitment to the cause. With the people I have now at Help Our Town and the relationships we have made with likewise organisations, we all seem to be heading in the same direction and for the greater good of the people in Dover. Long may it continue.
Thank you to everyone that has been part of this journey XX
