How Donna is giving second-hand books a new home
For book lovers, there’s nothing quite like discovering a hidden gem – whether it’s a well-loved classic, a nostalgic childhood story, or a rare collector’s item. At Rowcroft Hospice, our charity shops and eBay store give preloved books a new lease of life while supporting end-of-life care. In celebration of World Book Day, we’re thrilled to spotlight the literary riches in our shops. Donna Mitchell, a lifelong book lover from Rowcroft’s Retail Team, shares the hidden stories behind some of our donated books and encourages our community to give these treasures a new home.
Donna’s Rowcroft story
“I joined Rowcroft’s Retail Team as a donation assistant just over two years ago, and at the end of last year, I took on the online bookseller role,” says Donna. “The position appealed to me because of my previous experience working in a bookshop and my lifelong love of the written word.”
Discovering gems
“A large number of books travel through our warehouse every day. I have to work quickly to sort through the donations, being careful not to overlook a gem. On opening a box of books, I almost immediately get a sense of the person who donated to Rowcroft. The books someone has chosen and collected over a lifetime often tell their own story. Often, I come across tokens hidden in a book’s pages – heartfelt personal inscriptions, flowers, keepsakes, and even handwritten recipes left undiscovered for years.”
A team effort
“All of our charity shops offer a good selection of book titles. Sometimes the Rowcroft shop managers contact me with requests for particular genres. They know their customers well, and it brings me great satisfaction to select books for them. It’s a team effort – my colleagues at the distribution centre help me greatly, picking out interesting titles daily and sending them my way.”
From unwanted to treasured items
“We are largely overjoyed by the quality of the book donations we receive. Books which are no longer needed are given a new life, allowing others to benefit from them. Surprisingly, it is often the least impressive and seemingly uninteresting books that can reach a good price when listed on our online eBay store. The number of print runs and the rarity of certain titles can increase a book’s value and make it a collector’s item.”
Literary love
“I’ve been an avid reader since I was a child and have varied tastes in fiction. I have a particular love for vintage horror and dystopian sci-fi from the 1960s through to the 1980s. The imaginative artwork from this era was so representative of its time, and the covers work well even as framed images.
“I feel very strongly that good literature and the joy of discovery needn’t come with a hefty price tag. Buying a book from a Rowcroft shop is a great way to celebrate World Book Day, as it shows that getting a new read doesn’t have to break the bank or harm the planet, and in doing so you are donating to a worthwhile local charity.”
How you can help
At Rowcroft, we’re always in need of quality donations to help raise vital funds for our work. If you’re clearing out your shelves, please consider donating your books to Rowcroft. And if you’re interested in volunteering, visit our volunteer’s page to find out how you can get involved.