A hospice has opened its fourth charity shop, with the ceremonial honours given to a long-standing supporter.

Wisdom Hospice veteran volunteer Molly Johal, 82, performed the opening ceremony today (Friday) with the Mayor of Swale Cllr Simon Clark.

The hospice has taken over the former Scope charity shop in Sheerness High Street.

Molly, who still volunteers at the hospice's Chatham shop and lives in Walderslade, said: "I was a bit nervous but I felt very honoured to be asked. I've never opened a shop before.

"It made me feel quite chuffed. I hope it does as well as all the other shops. It should liven up the town."

Martyn Reeves, chief executive of the Friends of the Wisdom Hospice, said: "Molly is a long-term supporter and has been a Chatham shop volunteer since it opened in 2016.

"John Hale-Brown, who is head of our retail division, couldn't think of anyone better to open our new shop than her.

"She is a cheerful lady who seems to know everyone and is a loyal hospice supporter."

Molly took part in a promotional photo shoot with other volunteers and professional models wearing vintage clothes for the hospice in 2021.

Alongside her was Sittingbourne model Jenilee Walmsley (née Harris) who reached the finals in the TV search for Britain’s Next Top Model in 2006 when she was working at Sittingbourne’s High Street Co-op store.

The Sheerness shop was previously home to the cerebral palsy charity Scope for 40 years.

Mr Reeves said: "When Scope left the premises, their manager suggested to the landlord that we might be interested in a shop in Sheerness High Street and she was right. We snapped it up."

Manager Shelia Sulley and assistant manager Julia Purkins will run it from Mondays to Saturdays. The pair are busy recruiting volunteers to help out with four-hour shifts throughout the week.

They are also on the look-out for pre-loved clothes and household goods to sell.

All money raised will go to the Wisdom Hospice in High Bank, Rochester, which covers Medway and Swale.

It supports a number of Islanders to live at home with life-limiting conditions.

The Friends make monthly payments to the hospice which needs £2,000 a day to function. This year they gave a total of £720,000.

The Sheerness premises takes The Friends' portfolio to four. It already has branches in Sittingbourne, Chatham and Rochester.

The Sittingbourne shop opened in 2013 and will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year.