PROSPECT Hospice trustee David Barrand found himself helping out the charity’s Highworth shop staff and volunteers by doing anything asked of him when he agreed to be a ‘slave’ for the day.

The event was part of an incentive scheme to get more shop donors to make their gifts eligible for Gift Aid.

David, who in his regular day job is a senior manager at Intel in Old Town, promised that he would make himself available to help out in whatever way was required.

The shop is one of 18 across the area which is encouraging customers to sign up to the Gift Aid scheme which adds an additional 25 per cent to donations to the shop.

The Highworth store encouraged nearly half of all its donors during a four-week period to sign up for the scheme, and won David’s unlimited services for a whole day.

He said: “Since I became a trustee three years ago I have become really passionate about the important part that shops play towards the vital funding of Prospect Hospice.

“The Gift Aid scheme can bring a considerable boost to local charities, and it doesn’t cost anything at all to people when they sign up for it.

“As a reward for the team at Highworth’s efforts in encouraging their donors, I was only too glad to be there for the day, and they’ve really put me through my paces.”

Prospect’s Highworth shop manager Paula Whitney said: “It’s credit to the team of volunteers and staff here that we were able to get so many people registered for Gift Aid, and it has been good to have David helping us out for the day.

“It is good for one of our trustees to gain an insight into what a day in the shop is like, and he has really mucked in and been a part of the team.

“David would be welcome to come back and help out at the shop any time he wanted.”

Last year, the Prospect shops raised £1.7m in income towards the £5.8m it costs to run the hospice.

The retail operation is always looking for volunteers to help in stores, on the vans and at the warehouse.

If you would like to know more, call the volunteer coordinator on 01793 816168.