MORE vintage please! That’s the plea from the Sue Ryder Care charity shop in Abingdon, which is now selling retro clothing to help those with life-threatening illnesses.

The charity shop, in Market Place, opened its vintage department last month, hoping to capitalise on classic fashions to raise more money for its specialist nursing services.

But with footfall down 50 per cent on this time last year – and as few as 10 customers through the door some days – they need all the help they can get to make the new line a success.

Manager Davina Wilkinson, 58, said: “Retro and vintage clothes, furniture and bric-a-brac are very much in vogue these days and although our new vintage department is already doing quite well, footfall is so low at the moment we really need some great retro wear to tempt people in and help us create something really special, for a great cause.

“Unfortunately, along with the economic climate, which is affecting donations, repair work at the County Hall directly opposite our shop has also caused trade to drop off.

“A giant hoarding is now surrounding the building, which renders us invisible to anyone coming in from the shopping precinct.”

She continued: “We want people to know we are here and need them. We would love to receive all types of clothing, bags and shoes from the 1940s, through the 60s and right up to the 80s.

“Every £100 raised by our shop pays for a whole day’s nursing care for a very ill person – so every item you donate is helping another human being.”

Sue Ryder Care raises money for people with life-threatening illnesses and its nursing staff provide long-term and end-of-life care for people in their own homes.

Donations can be taken directly to the Abingdon store in Market Place or handed in at the Sue Ryder stores in Chapel Way, Oxford, and Sheep Street, Bicester.