By Sarah Newstead

Last updated 05:41, Friday, 03 October 2008

WIGTON’S Eden Valley Hospice shop has bounced back after it was forced to close after an arson attack.

We’re back: Fundraising manager Margaret Graham, right, helps Mary Heslam cut the ribbon

Last Friday’s grand reopening celebration followed a £24,000 refurbishment at the West Street building after the fire in April.

Margaret Graham, fundraising manager for the hospice, said: “We lost everything. It’s taken over six months to get it up and running again and the volunteers have worked extremely hard.

“The arson attack was the third bit of bad luck we’ve had – they kicked down the front door, then they did a karate kick to the front window.

“We’re hoping that was our third helping of bad luck and we won’t have any more trouble.”

The fire caused damage to the back of the shop, its stock and badly damaged the flat upstairs, forcing a mother and her two young children to flee in the night.

The culprit or culprits have not yet been caught.

Margaret said the shop, one of four run by the charity in north Cumbria, is essential if the Carlisle-based hospice is to meet running costs.

“We need to raise £6,000 every day to cover running costs.

“A lot of people think it’s death and gloom, but it’s not. More people come out than die in the hospice – we do pain control and aim to give people a better quality of life and we look after families too which is important.”

Wigton Age Concern chairwoman Mary Heslam cut the ribbon to allow the first customers inside in front of assembled volunteers and well wishers.

She said: “It’s like a phoenix out of the ashes.

“I was honoured to be asked to open it. I thank the volunteers who have kept it going and the generosity of the Wigton people who help the shop to carry on with this wonderful endeavour.”

Mrs Graham added that the shop has long been part of the town’s community – regular customers pop by and staff form friendships through their work.

Volunteer Lynette Shore, one of around 38 who give up their time in the shop, said: “I’m so glad to see it open again.

“I’ve been lost without it.”