VOLUNTEERS at a South Woodford charity shop have been honoured for helping to raise more than £370,000 in just one year.

Staff at the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity branch in George Lane were rewarded with a lavish tea party in Chelmsford along with other workers at the group's shops, as part of celebrations to mark a momentous past 12 months.

It comes as the charity, which raises cash for support centres in south east England and cancer research, marks its tenth anniversary this year.

Retail supervisor Tony Achilleos said: “This tea party was an ideal setting to thank all our volunteers for their outstanding commitment to the charity’s shops.

“The shops brought in £370,000 in total last year and it is hoped they will reach more than £450,000 this year. But without the volunteers the charity would not benefit from thousands of extra pounds to plough into cancer research and support centres for patients.

“We wanted to let them know their contribution has not gone unnoticed and we greatly value their continued support.”

Helen Rollason Cancer Charity manager Nicola Douglas said: “The afternoon went fantastically well and I am so glad so many faces could attend. Each and every one of our volunteers plays a vital role in making the charity what it is today. Their involvement is greatly appreciated and I would like to thank all our volunteers for their contribution to the charity.