A CHARITY shop has been awarded with an award for its entrepreneurial spirit.

Oxfam in Richmond hosted a fundraising gig at the Ship Inn in the town with performances from Claire Bolton, Jay Dale, Johnny Embo, Komova, and Andy Brown from Atlantic Soul Messengers.

During the event the volunteer team surprised manager Emma Norman with the news that she and her team had won Oxfam’s Joe Mitty Award for entrepreneurial spirit, which carries the name of the man who turned Oxfam gifts shop into a national retail network selling second hand clothing.

The letter from the charity’s head office noted the work the Richmond branch had put into community music gigs and a summer ball and vintage fair held in August, which raised more than £1,000.

The award, which was first launched in 2008, celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of the staff and volunteers who in the face of a recession still manage to find innovative ways to raise funds for Oxfam’s work around the world.

Ms Norman said: “I am so delighted that our ideas have been recognised, as we particularly enjoy planning and putting on events.

“We love our shop in Richmond and I am blessed to have the continual support of my team, of amazing hard working volunteers, added to the fantastic community support here in Richmond which makes it all possible.

“This year we have put on or been part of 15 local events and have lots more ideas for the future.”

The award was handed to Ms Norman and her team of volunteers on Thursday in the Finkle Street Shop by Oxfam’s Trading Director, Andrew Horton.