You’d be amazed at the vast array of wonderful goodies you could have bought at Sunderland charity shops over the years.
A pink guitar, rude monk, bow ties and a cuddly crocodile are just the start.
We gathered up a selection of Sunderland Echo photo memories from 2004 to 2023 taking in shops across the city.
If you wanted a one-armed doll, a flamenco dress, flip flops or paintings, chances are you could have got it on Wearside.
Have a look at our collection and then get in touch with memories of your best and most unusual buys in one of the city’s charity shops.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) store, in Blandford Street, is one of around 150 shops nationwide that will be closing within the next two years.
Tell us about your best charity store buys. Email [email protected] to tell us more.
1. Pink guitar at Revive
A pink guitar, wizard's wand and loads of lorries were on sale at the Revive Sunderland Charity Reuse shop, on Pallion Industrial Estate in 2023. | se
2. A rude monk at Barnardo's in Pennywell
A doll with one arm, walking stick, a martial arts weapon and a toy monk which made rude gestures. were all on sale at the Barnardo's charity shop in Pennywell in 2012. Tracie Mitchison and Amy Guttridge were pictured with some of the donations. | se
3. Bow ties and a flamenco dress at Age UK
Christine Holmes and Carol Yellowrey, from the Age UK Charity Shop in Blandford Street, showed off a conucopia of retro clothes and items in their expanded upstairs rooms in 2012. | se
4. A cuddly crocodile at the Rainbow shop
Mandy Catcheside and Sharon Hopkins were hard at work in the Rainbow charity shop in Hylton Road when we called in back in 2009. | se