THE HERALD attended the popul ar ‘Ladies Night’ at the Paul Sartori Foundation in Neyland on Wednesday (May 25).

Supplied with a choice of free wine, cider or orange juice, there was an incredible turnout, with all floors of the charity shop full to the brim with ladies all searching for a bargain.

There was an air of excitement and laughter in the store, perhaps due to the possibilities of bargains being found and the abundance of flowing wine, with all women in the community – friends, mothers, daughters – coming together to support their local Paul Sartori store.

The way in which the shop window display had been set up made the place look like a high-end independent boutique.

Maggie John, who works at the Neyland Paul Sartori store, told the Herald: “I’m in charge of the window displays and I think they’re so important, because when people go past on the bus – and because there’s not a lot of parking around here – it makes the store a lot more noticeable.

“This shop won the ‘Best Christmas Window Display’ last year, too.”

All the clothes the shop inside were organised impeccably into categories, making for an easy shopping experience especially when trying to navigate around the many women who attended.

Maggie continued: “I used to own a shop when I lived in London and we used to have ladies’ nights there twice a year. I thought we could bring it here for the women who support the shop.

“Nights like this are great because ladies can bring their friends, do a bit of networking and I think at events like this, most women do like to buy something.

“We’ve done a raffle as well so if women don’t see anything, they can always get a raffle ticket for £1 to win a £25 voucher, a bottle of bubbly and a big box of really nice chocolates.”

The Neyland charity shop had previously held one other ‘Ladies Night’ last Christmas, which was such a success that they decided to continue with the event twice a year.

At the festive ‘Ladies Night’, the shop managed to raise an incredible £900 for the Paul Sartori charity in just one evening, with over 35 women attending.

“There are a lot of regulars here tonight, but we have seen some new faces as we encourage everyone to bring a friend with them, and most people do.

“It’s hard work organising events like this but it’s nice to give something back to people in the community who support the store,” Maggie concluded.

The Paul Sartori Foundation enables patients with a life-limiting illness to be cared for at home.

The team of nurses, nursing assistants, counsellors, physio, equipment assistants and complementary therapists all deliver care of the highest standard to enhance the quality of life for patients, carers and families at what is already a very difficult time for them.

Paul Sartori was a remarkable man who saw the need for hospice care in Pembrokeshire but whilst trying to set this up, he became sadly became ill and died from cancer at the age of 39. The Foundation was then set up in his memory in 1981.

The Paul Sartori Foundation depend heavily on donations and fundraising activities to provide this essential care to the community.

The next ‘Ladies Night’ with free wine and nibbles will be held at the store near Christmas.