The Wisbech British Red Cross shop is launching a stock drive on Friday to celebrate the charity’s legacy of support during the First World War.

People are asked to donate items to the shop, which will be sold in aid of the charity’s work helping people in crisis in the UK and overseas.

During the First World War, 90,000 Red Cross volunteers gave their time and skills to help the sick and wounded, doing everything from nursing and air raid duty to searching for missing people and transporting the wounded.

The conflict also saw the widespread growth of fundraising for the Red Cross with its first charity shops offering a variety of luxury and unusual pieces.

Known as ‘Gift Houses’, these pop-ups were a treasure trove of items that ranged from the exclusive to the bizarre. Donations included Egyptian tapestries, paintings, silver and gold alongside Great Danes, a Persian kitten and a pair of Pointers.

Paul Thompson, head of retail at the British Red Cross says: “This is a very special campaign not only celebrating 100 years of Red Cross Shops but also commemorating the extraordinary commitment and sacrifice of our volunteers during the First World War.

“We are extremely grateful for the generous donations we have received from a variety of high-profile designers and home-ware brands, just as we were for the donations we received 100 years ago, and I really hope that people across the UK will get behind the stock drive campaign and donate to their local Red Cross shops”.

The Wisbech branch is at 38 Market Place.