Palliative care and bereavement charity Sue Ryder has awarded a loyal feline friend, Bean the cat, the honorary title of volunteer for her exemplary customer service and outstanding colleague engagement at its Taunton shop.
Bean, who is almost eight years old, has been a daily visitor to the charity shop for the past five years, ‘bringing joy and positivity to everyone she encounters.’ Now, Sue Ryder has formally recognised her contribution, officially appointing her as an affectionate member of the Taunton team.
Since she first started ‘volunteering,’ Bean has gained local celebrity status, with shoppers regularly popping in just to see her. Alongside her natural ability to charm customers and staff, she has also proven to be a talented stock inspector, expert toy tester, and keen window merchandiser.
Bean’s owner, Hayley Poole Wood, accepted the certificate on her behalf and shared her gratitude with the shop’s staff and customers:
“I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of Bean. I was really touched but also found it hilarious when the shop manager contacted me with the news. I am so thankful that the staff have really embraced having her around and that customers can clearly see how much she loves being admired and adored.
“If her presence can entice people through the door and help Sue Ryder raise more money to support people needing palliative care and grief support, then I’m more than happy for her to be here, spreading happiness.”
Sue Ryder Taunton shop manager Vicky Woods also praised Bean’s contribution to the team:
“Bean really is a huge asset to the shop. All the donations we receive go towards funding vital palliative and end-of-life care at our hospices, as well as bereavement support that can be accessed by anyone. Many people come into the shop just to greet her, so it is not a stretch to say that Bean is directly helping fund the care and support we provide. You can see their faces light up when they spot her bundled up in a basket having a nap or prancing across the shelves like she’s in charge. She really is a local celebrity.
“I recently ran an art competition, asking local children to create pictures of Bean for the window, and we were inundated with entries. Honestly, it’s been the most wholesome thing I’ve seen. Bean brings so much delight to our customers; it seemed like the obvious next step to bestow this award on her and officially make her part of the Sue Ryder family.”
And when asked whether the staff had ever seen a mouse in the shop, Vicky coolly replied, “You got to be kitten me, right?”
Sue Ryder operates nearly 400 shops across the UK, raising funds for its hospices, palliative care hubs, and bereavement services.