Worthing shop manager praised for her dedication over decades as Cancer Research UK closes branch for good
The manager of Worthing's Cancer Research UK shop has been presented with a certificate by the mayor in honour of her 27 years of service and dedication.
The shop, in Broadwater Street West, Broadwater, closes for good on Saturday, August 8, and volunteers wanted to celebrate manager Carole Bellone and reward her for all her hard work.
They arranged a surprise visit by mayor Lysanne Skinner – which involved getting Carole to go into the shop on her day off – and presented her with bouquets as a thank you.
The mayor told Carole: “We wanted to honour the amazing, amazing hard work and dedication you have put into running the shop for 27 years and it would be my honour to present this certificate thanking you for your devotion to this charity. It's absolutely incredible. It's a wonderful thing to have devoted your life to.”
Reading the citation, she added: “The mayor of Worthing, Councillor Lysanne Skinner, hereby acknowledges and highly commends Carol Bellone in recognition and appreciation of her 27 years of service, devotion, strong determination and dedication managing the Cancer Research charity shop, Broadwater, and for the invaluable support she has provided to the Broadwater community. Thank you for your support to the community.”
Carole said the shop has had a lot of loyal customers over the years and the team has 'had a good rapport with everyone'.
She recalled the day Princess Alexandra visited in July 2014 and said it was a big moment for the shop.
Yvonne O'Connor, area manager, said Carole had also worked in other Cancer Research shops in the 27 years but the majority of her time had been in Broadwater.
She added: “It's a long time in any shop, it's amazing. And right up to the very end, she's just worked so hard and been so organised.”
Yvonne said the Arundel and Broadwater shop were both slated for closure but she still had 20 charity shops in her area, including the one in Shoreham.
Lorraine Taylor, who organised the presentation, said: “Carole has served the community over all those years. She has attended weddings, christenings and funerals of her customers, visited them in hospital and sent them birthday cards, a real community champion.”