STAFF and volunteers at the Okehampton British Heart Foundation (BHF) shop have an extra reason to celebrate this holiday season — they were awarded the title of shop of the year after a fruitful year of sales and profit.

Simon Gillespie, CEO of the BHF attended an event at the shop on December 19 to congratulate staff and volunteers and present them with a trophy.

Profit made in the Okehampton BHF shop contributed to the £1.3- million raised across Devon last year — an amount which will make a staggering difference in the fight against heart disease.

The Okehampton BHF shop has been open since 2009 and beat off competition from the BHF's other 560 shops in everything from customer service to overall shop standards.

Every penny of profit raised from the shop goes on to support research into heart disease and to help fund vital local services. The BHF has funded seven defibrillators and one 'Heartstart' group in West Devon and awarded a research grant of more than £21-million to the South West to date.

Deborah Travers, deputy manager of the Okehampton BHF shop, said: 'It is wonderful to receive this award. We are all quite chuffed to get this recognition. Our volunteers were over the moon.

'We couldn't do it without our volunteers, who give up so much of their free time to help run the store. We are very lucky. We have a strong team here, who look after one another. It is a bit like a family — except maybe with fewer arguments!

'The shop has a great atmosphere, and I think that helps to bring people back, which is what you want to try and do.'

Jan Goffey, one of the store's many volunteers, said: 'It is an amazing accolade, to be not just the best shop in the region but in the entire country. It is a testament to the hard work of the small management team and all the wonderful volunteers at the shop.

'I have friends who live all over the place, and whenever they come to Okehampton they ask to visit the British Heart Foundation shop. It says a lot, and now everyone knows how good the shop is. It is a real team effort.'

Mike Taylor, retail director for the BHF said: 'The Okehampton BHF shop has had an excellent year of trading thanks to the dedication of its staff, volunteers and the local community who shop and donate.

'The shop has always been a huge asset to the BHF and I can't thank the staff and the local community enough for their support.' 

The Okehampton BHF shop sells a huge range of stock including clothes, accessories, CDs, DVDs and shoes.

The shop is always in need of stock donations, just call 01837 658792 for a free collection.