A CHARITY shop designed to help youngsters in Willington fulfil their dreams has been relaunched.

Charity Shop 4U, on High Street, was officially reopened on Saturday by local historian and town champion Olive Linge. The occasion was marked by the handing out of four grants which went towards the 4th Willington Scouts and Cubs, to go towards camping fees, Willington Cricket Club’s girls team, Little Stars Early Years nursery, for sensory equipment, and to Hunwick Cricket Club, for training equipment for its under 18 teams.

Shirley Griffiths, coordinator on the shop’s management committee, said: “The charity shop is here to raise money to enable children and young people in Willington to achieve their goals through grants.

“This means if they want to do music but can’t afford an instrument, a grant would help.”

The venture has been made possible by homelessness charity Cornerstone, which covers the electricity bills and has provided its former office space free of charge.

Phil Hardy, of Cornerstone, said: “We wanted something that would give back to children in the area - where there is any barrier to their achievements we want to help by giving a grant.”

Mr Hardy and Ms Griffiths are on the management committee with chairman Ros Glasper.