Lockdown boosts sales of unusual items for hospice eBay shop
05 May 2020
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St Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington has seen a surge in interest for the strangest and most collectable items it has for sale in its eBay shop since the lockdown began.
The hospice has accepted donations ranging from a bizarre hair growing helmet, complete with miracle solution and fetching green sparkling carry-sack, to bric-a-brac, box sets and book collections.
eBay volunteer Pete Bradshaw says the lockdown has seen a growth in online sales activity from across the UK, China, Russia, America and Europe. “We are managing to sell some surprising and unusual items – I’ve just sold a dozen tea-towels sporting ‘Only use in an emergency’, which have suddenly become relevant.”
Top sellers have included electronic games and paraphernalia such as PS, DS, x-Box and Wii equipment, musical instruments, including a guitar which went to Ireland, an embroidery sampler to someone in California, a fondue set to Spain, Villeroy and Boch storage jars to Russia, and a silver pencil holder to the US.
“It is all kinds of items which people feel they need when they have time on their hands and they are stuck at home,” said Pete.
“We have had one lady who bought a Le Creuset pan for her husband’s birthday because he is stranded in Glasgow – she asked us to include a birthday card from her sending him her love, which we were happy to do.
“We are getting some lovely feedback from customers wishing us well and asking us to keep up the good work. They understand how all of the hospice’s usual fundraising and shops had to be closed due to the lock-down.”
Each listing on eBay also includes details of St Teresa’s Hospice’s virtual #hugtoStTeresas emergency funding appeal complete with a link to the Just Giving page.
Pete added: “I’ll just keep on selling on eBay whatever we still have in stock to keep some money coming in, so the hospice can continue its vital work.”
