Offaly shop team honoured at annual Charity Retail Awards

THE volunteer team at SVP Vincent's Clara has been recognised at the annual Charity

Retail Ireland Impact Awards, winning the Shop Team of the Year Award in recognition of its exceptional contribution to charity retail and the local community. The Offaly team secured the award ahead of two other shortlisted nominees after impressing the judging panel with its dedication, community impact and commitment to supporting people experiencing hardship

SVP Vincent's Clara raises vital funds to support individuals and families experiencing poverty and financial hardship helping with essentials such as food, heating, housing, education and other basic needs. All funds raised through the shop remain within the local community, ensuring support reaches those who need it most.

Run entirely by volunteers, with no paid staff or scheme employees, the shop is a remarkable example of community spirit in action. Open five days a week, the dedicated team not only manages a thriving charity retail operation but also supports a local food hub and FoodCloud service, helping ensure food assistance is delivered with dignity and care.

Led by volunteer manager Margaret and supported by a committed team of volunteers and drivers, the shop has become much more than a retail outlet. It serves as a welcoming community hub where people can access practical support, connect with others and find a listening ear when needed. The warmth and hospitality shown by the team have made the shop a valued part of life in Clara.

The judges recognised the team's exceptional commitment to both their cause and one another. The volunteers have created an environment where people feel welcomed, respected and supported, while also maintaining a beautifully presented shop that enjoys strong backing from the local community. Their efforts demonstrate the powerful role charity retail can play in strengthening

social connections and providing meaningful local support.

Charity Retail Ireland published its annual Impact Report this week which found that across the organisation's 407 member shops, a total of €73 million in income was generated in 2025 for essential causes.

According to the report, last year over 10 million items of clothing were given a second life through Charity Retail Ireland member shops, demonstrating how the sector can help accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Through the resale process, this prevented over 106,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and diverted 21,000 tonnes of waste from landfill and other waste streams, highlighting the unique role that charity retail plays in delivering benefits for people, planet and prosperity. The scale of this impact is comparable to removing 17 million cars from the road for a day, saving 33 billion litres of water or the carbon that 4.8 billion trees could absorb in one day.

In 2025, more than 10 million customer transactions were recorded through Charity Retail Ireland members, demonstrating the continued popularity of charity shopping nationwide. Local stores across the country were supported by 5,000 volunteers, 800 employees and 1,000 workers participating in CE and Tús community employment programmes.

Speaking about the awards, Mark Sweeney, Chair of Charity Retail Ireland, said: "The Charity Retail Ireland Awards celebrate the incredible work of charity retail teams as they support their causes, engage with their communities and promote reuse. SVP Vincent's Clara is an excellent example of how innovation, creativity and commitment can generate meaningful social impact while supporting a more sustainable future. We are delighted to recognise the achievements of their team on a national stage."  

The report findings were shared at Charity Retail Ireland’s annual Impact Event which took place on Thursday. As part of the event, a new short film The Power of Reuse was premiered which captures the successes and challenges of the sector through interviews with staff, volunteers and sector experts.

The event included the Charity Retail Ireland Awards which celebrate the work of charity retail teams as they support their causes, engage with local communities, and promote reuse. A total of eight awards were presented to Charity Retail members nationwide, the full list of award winners can be found here. The awards and impact event are made possible by the Government of Ireland’s

Circular Economy Fund.

For more information, visit charityretail.ie