The sound of music is bringing extra joy – and additional donations – to one of Ormskirk’s busiest charity shops.

Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation opened the store in Aughton Street a little over two years ago, and since then, it has proved to be one of the charity’s most successful outlets with takings 10% above target. The charity signed a ten-year lease on the unit and then completed a refit to the store rooms.

What has boosted donations even higher has been the shop’s most significant donation: a beautiful Chappell piano.

Shop manager Rachel Walsh was so delighted when she saw the piano it prompted her to invite people to play it. And how the town has responded!

Beginning with an evening of musical entertainment provided by local supporters, the piano has gone on to attract scores of people keen to tickle the ivories and play tunes old and new. Best of all, donations a-plenty now plink and plonk into the charity bucket set up at its feet.

Said Rachel, “We’ve enjoyed a wonderful year and we have to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the people of Ormskirk who have given us tremendous support. The piano has become the talk of the town and I’m thrilled to say that, at the last count, it’s helped us raise an extra £2,890.58. That’s just typical of the huge response we have had from Ormskirk and the surrounding area.

“All of us feel we owe a big debt of gratitude to the people here. As well as our customers who’ve made our shop such a big success we’ve also engaged with some amazing people who’ve supported the charity by taking part in sponsored runs and other challenges. We want to thank each and every one of them.”

As well as Rachel, the shop employs two assistant managers, who both work part-time. The staff are assisted by several volunteers who give their time freely to help support the work of the charity.

Lung cancer kills more people in West Lancashire than any other form of the disease – more than breast cancer, ovarian or bowel cancer. Yet it attracts far less scientific research than those other cancers. Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation believes that it’s high time all that changed.

But investigative science is expensive – it costs £35 to pay for ONE hour of laboratory research, so the charity needs help and support to raise funds for its vital work. So revenue from the shops across the North West plays a key role in meeting fund-raising targets. Every penny counts.

Mike Grundy, the charity’s deputy chief executive, said, “We’re really pleased with the way the Ormskirk shop is performing. Pleased, but not surprised, as the town enjoys a great reputation for supporting charitable causes.

“Over 46,000 people across the UK will learn that they have lung cancer this year. That’s roughly twice the population of Ormskirk - so you see the size of our challenge.

“The only way to tackle lung cancer is head-on, with robust scientific research. We are making real progress but there’s a long way to go. That’s why income from shops like this one is so important, and why the support of local people is always welcome.”