Martin House Children’s Hospice has reached a significant financial milestone, with its retail operations generating £2 million in sales over the past year.
The record-breaking figure, covering May 2025 to March 2026, includes revenue from the hospice’s 13 high street shops, its Thorp Arch warehouse, and its rapidly expanding digital presence on platforms such as Vinted and eBay. Since investing in a dedicated online team three years ago, e-commerce has grown to account for nearly 10% of the charity’s total retail income.
While digital sales are rising, the hospice’s physical shops remain the core of the operation. Based in Boston Spa, the charity provides specialist 24/7 care to more than 500 children and young people each year – a service that costs approximately £12 million annually to maintain.
Stephanie Rimmington, Head of Retail at Martin House, said:
“The last year has been one of our most successful to date. We’ve invested in new shop refurbishments and improved our systems to offer the best possible experience. Online sales are an exciting area of growth, but our shops are still incredibly important. They’re part of the local community, and we’re really proud of that.”
The achievement is underpinned by a network of nearly 300 regular volunteers who manage everything from sorting donations to serving customers. Stephanie added that the hospice “simply couldn’t have reached this milestone” without their essential support, especially as the sector faces rising costs and the challenges of fast fashion.
Looking forward, the hospice plans to use data and consumer insight to further develop its retail strategy. For more information on how to support or volunteer, visit www.martinhouse.org.uk.
