Belfast charity shop worker wins prestigious UK award

A Belfast charity shop worker has won the title of Retail Staff Member of the Year at the UK-wide Charity Retail Association Awards 2014.

Tra Walls, originally from Rossnowlagh in County Donegal, has been working for Oxfam Ireland for the past six years and is presently the deputy shop manager of the Oxfam Castle Street store in Belfast city centre.

The prestigious Charity Retail Awards recognise the tremendous efforts made by volunteers, managers and teams in charity shops, and acknowledge their dedication, enthusiasm and hard work.

This year’s CRA ceremony took place at Keele Hall, Staffordshire, with the awards presented amid the glitz and glamour by comedian Lucy Porter.

Tra Walls said “It is a true honour to receive this award, and a great surprise to win it for a job which I love doing so much enjoy anyway. It is truly rewarding to be working for Oxfam for the past six years, making a difference as part of Oxfam’s life-changing work worldwide, like the current emergency response to the crisis in South Sudan.

“I would like to pay tribute to my inspirational team of colleagues in the Oxfam Castle Street shop, without whom winning this personal award would not have been possible – shop manager Ronan O’Donnell and all the dedicated volunteers who continue to give me such great support.”

CRA Chief Executive Warren Alexander said that Tra was presented with the award “to recognise the work of an exceptional charity retail employee.”

Oxfam Ireland Chief Executive Jim Clarken said: “Tra has had responsibility for the large Vintage department within Oxfam’s Castle Street shop and has grown the department so that the income exceeds £40,000 per annum.

“Tra has been very active in marketing the Vintage offer in the shop by taking stalls at local fairs throughout the year, and providing styled outfits for catwalk shows during Belfast Fashion Week. This year her Vintage outfits graced a VIP event at Stormont.

“Tra has developed a market with stage and film production companies by fostering a strong working relationship with costume department staff in local units. She, and the Shop Manager, upload photos of items of Vintage on a daily basis to social networking sites. This has developed a loyal customer base, and lets potential donors know the shop will maximise income on any donations.

“In January 2013 Tra was appointed Shop Manager for the Botanic Avenue shop in Belfast, covering the permanent shop manager’s maternity leave. During her year in the store Tra saw an opportunity to develop the small Vintage range. She did so with huge and infectious energy, boosting the shop income by 28%.

“In addition Tra has raised funds for Oxfam over the years by taking part in challenge events such as completing the first Oxfam Ireland 100km Trailtrekker event in a winning time of 19.5 hours!”

Caption:

Belfast charity shop worker Tra Walls has won the title of Retail Staff Member of the Year at the UK-wide Charity Retail Association Awards 2014. Oxfam Ireland’s Castle Street deputy shop manager Tra Walls (centre) is pictured with Brendan Bennett from award sponsor forgottenmobile.com, and comedian Lucy Porter, who presented the awards. Photo by David Attiach.

ENDS

Notes to editor

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• The Charity Retail Association is the trade association for charity shops, representing around 80 per cent of charity shops across the UK. The CRA Awards night saw a range of charities, suppliers and volunteers compete for 20 individual awards. The ceremony also heard from a wide range of speakers from the wider retail sector, politicians, charity leaders and volunteers.