Assistant Shop Manager Jan Maloney, Frankie the Lion, Shop Manager Toni Bones, and antiques expert, Paul Hetchin

»There were no Friday the 13th fears for Toni Bones and her team of volunteers when they re-opened a charity shop raising funds for an east London hospice.

The Saint Francis Hospice shop, in The Mall, Heathway, Dagenham, sprung open its doors following a re-fit to make it a lighter, brighter, and a more welcoming place to shop.

Celebrations were led by the hospice mascot Frankie the Lion and Paul Hetchin, the antiques expert from TV shows Boot Sale Challenge, Trading Treasures and Secret Dealers.

Manager Toni said: “My staff are wonderful. We couldn’t make a success of the shop without our volunteers and customers who donate so much great stuff.”

Among the volunteers is Brian Seff, an American stand-up comedian from San Francisco who volunteers between 1 and 5pm from Monday to Thursdays and 82-year-old local Doris Gillman who gives up her Mondays.