Suits donated to Cranford Hospice in Hastings charity promotion

Cranford Hospice retail manager Kim Priest, with Thomson's Suits owner Angus Thomson and Cranford Hospice communications, marketing and fundraising manager Sheena Revington. Photo / Paul Taylor

Op-shoppers, Art Deco enthusiasts and a Hastings charity are all looking dapper today, after a menswear shop and the generosity of its Hastings customers combined to provide a new donation of clothes.

The Cranford Hospice op shop in Hastings now has a new, wide-ranging selection of men's suits and jackets after a new promotion at Thomson's Suits on Heretaunga St.

Thomson's Suits owner Angus Thomson said a two-week promotion at the Hastings store had produced a collection of 23 assorted suits and sports jackets, all to be donated to the Cranford Hospice op shop.

"We had a trade-in special, so any old suits or sports coats they had they bring them in and we gave $60 off a new sports coat or $100 off a new suit."

Thomson said the aim of the promotion was to connect with the local community and to get people rallying behind Cranford Hospice.

"Hopefully this can be turned into money for Cranford Hospice.

"With us being an independent local retailer we thought we would try and keep it local as well."

Cranford Hospice retail manager Kim Priest said the donation was "amazing".

"I know I've sold suits to everybody from a young boy last June for his school ball, through to more mature people. They go really, really well right throughout the spectrum.

"They are very much appreciated and I see there are a few items that will go very nicely in our Art Deco area, and Art Deco will be coming up soon so that will go well as well."

Money from the op shop goes to Cranford Hospice.

Since the hospice started in Hawke's Bay in 1982 it has grown to about 85 paid staff and 400 volunteers who help care for about 750 patients and their families, from Mahia in the north to Takapau in the south.

The organisation runs two Cranford Hospice Shops in Hastings and Waipukurau, all run with the help of 98 volunteers.