Liz Nicholls takes on the Rennie Grove charity shop challenge, and invites you to do the same, with donations doubled from 2nd to 9th December
O come, all ye brassic, joyful and triumphant.
Yes, come ye – and I promise I’ll stop mangling carols now – to meet me at your nearest Rennie Grove charity shop…
Maybe it’s because I’m a December baby but I adore Christmastime. My tree (fake), fairy lights and lovingly crafted decorations have been up for weeks. But even I struggle with the endless adverts and relentless consumerism. As a single mum, second-hand shopping has often been a necessity rather than a choice, but honestly, the benefits go way beyond bargains.
So when I was invited to take on Rennie Grove’s Christmas Challenge – to buy an entire festive outfit for £20 – I was there faster than Santa in his supersonic sleigh.
I find a price limit, like a deadline, oddly motivating (see also: my unhealthy love of Secret Santa… but I digress). So I was indeed merry and bright when I rocked up at the Rennie Grove shop in Chalfont – just up the road from my old school – on a dreary Friday afternoon. The space is small but the turnover is immense, meaning you can never dip into the same treasure trove twice.
And reader, I was merry and bright even while clambering in and out of various outfits – usually a horror show – in my quest to hit this brief. Long story short: my £20 challenge somehow resulted not in one, but five Christmas-ready outfits. My haul:
A bottle-green shiny, topless flared jumpsuit – £7.50
Yes, topless. No, I’m not sure who donated it. But it absolutely screamed “Christmas bingo card” so I had to buy it. Add a vest top and boom: wearable. Or go for tassles if you prefer – tis the season!
Green V-neck jumper – £6
One of the joys of guilt-free shopping is buying something warm and cosy without remorse. This one’s a bright minty green – practically festive on sight. Goes well with the jazzy H&M geometric print trousers – £6.50
White coat, brand new (Primark) – £10
As columnist Caitlin Moran recently wrote, new coat season is one of the few joys of a British winter. Would I ever buy a white coat full price? Absolutely not. But this beauty? Toasty, Narnia-white and inexplicably flattering. I feel immaculate in this (until I have a chocolate or red wine accident, that is)
Red Boden dress – £8
A perky poppy red in a brand I aspire to wear but never feel grown up enough for. Wore it proudly to my nan’s 100th birthday on Remembrance weekend. Ten out of ten, very Christmassy.
M&S slinky blouse – £7
Imposter syndrome who? This top helps me cosplay as someone with her life vaguely together. Especially with the mid-length leather skirt – £8
Stripy Breton top – £5
Because there is no universe in which a Breton is not useful.
Jack Wills overnight bag – £10
Because who doesn’t like to fantasise about being whisked off for a festive weekend away, Bridget Jones–style?
Result? Joyful. Triumphant. Smug, even. And so so Christmassy! And yes I didn’t buy shoes – I tried but have large, clownish feet. There are a range of great-value new gifts, too. And, even if shopping isn’t your bag, consider dropping your goodies off to go back into the circle of life that is the charity shop. Even that topless jumpsuit you were considering wearing! In fact, if you donated this gem, do get in touch – I’m very intrigued!
This Christmas, Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care is inviting local people to make one but with twice the impact, as every pound donated is doubled, during the UK’s Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025 – the country’s nationwide online match-funding initiative. The charity aims to raise funds for 150 days of specialist hospice care for patients and families within Buckinghamshire and west Hertfordshire.
For one week only – from midday on Tuesday 2 December to midday on Tuesday 9 December – every pound donated to Rennie Grove Peace will be doubled thanks to the generosity of philanthropists, foundations and corporate supporters. This means every £1 donated will instantly be worth £2 – providing twice the support for people needing hospice care at home, or as an inpatient.
Tracey Hancock, Director or Fundraising says: “Through our involvement in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, every pound donated will go twice as far, meaning we can help more families within Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. Whether it’s expert nursing care at home or in our hospice setting, every donation ensures that patients can spend precious, quality time with their loved ones, when they need it the most.”
“They were exactly what we needed” — Emma’s story
For Emma and her family, Rennie Grove Peace made it possible for her dad to stay at home, surrounded by those he loved, at the end of his life.
Emma says: “Dad was quite a complex case and had been unwell for a number of years. He was living with diabetes and arthritis before he was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
The nurses who visited Dad at home were just incredible. They came into upsetting situations and kept things calm – they were so compassionate, kind and caring.
“When Dad died, the last nurse to visit him was the same who had done his first visit. She was wonderful – and it was very comforting for us to have that consistency throughout his illness.”
“Mum loved it there” — Louise’s story
When Louise, 55, from Watford, was admitted to the Peace Hospice Inpatient Unit to manage symptoms of secondary breast cancer, the care she received helped her to make the most of life.
Her daughter Tia says: “Mum loved it there. She loved the staff and felt safe and relaxed. She had her own room that she was able to decorate how she wanted it. She had lots of pictures on the walls and brought her orchids from home.”
Louise’s stay included requesting the hospice’s first-ever cheese and wine evening, and, thanks to careful symptom management, she even achieved her goal of going to see ABBA Voyage with her friends.
“Mum had a really good experience at the Inpatient Unit, we all did,” Tia adds. “The hospice gave back her quality of life and helped us to make the most of her last few months.”
How to take part
From noon on Tuesday 2 December to noon on Tuesday 9 December, donations to Rennie Grove Peace made via the Big Give Christmas Challenge website will be doubled, while match funding lasts — at no extra cost to supporters.
That means every £10 given delivers £20 worth of care. Donations must be made via this link to qualify for match funding: renniegrovepeace.org/TBG25
