A CHARITY book stall at a popular Tillicoultry café has reached a six-figure fundraising milestone.

The initiative at Sterling Home's Mill Café has managed to raise £100,00 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) since it began nearly two decades ago with staff and volunteers recently coming together to mark the achievement.

It all started 18 years ago when CHAS retail volunteer Jess Greenhill approached Suzanne Howarth, former director of Sterling Furniture, with her idea of setting up a small stall in the store’s café.

Suzanne agreed, with Jess going on to look after the stall herself right up until she sadly passed away in 2020.

The charitable initiative was thereafter taken over by Jess' friend and former café employee Helen Muirhead, who continues to look after a well-maintained and busy book stall.

Eileen MacKay, manager at Mill Café, said: “It started off with just a few second-hand books on a table but it’s grown into a well-maintained and busy bookstall.

“It’s built into a café wall so it’s well and truly in with the bricks!

“Lots of families visit the café and store, and being a family-run business ourselves, we felt CHAS was a brilliant cause to raise money for as it supports children and their families across Scotland.

“The bookstall is well used by staff and customers on a daily basis and is well looked after by Helen.”

CHAS community fundraiser Lyndsay Stobie recently attended a special celebratory event to mark the milestone and received a £100,000 cheque.

Ken Doig, CHAS retail development manager, added: “We are so grateful to the Mill Café and Sterling Home Tillicoultry for reaching this incredible milestone.

“All funds raised go directly towards helping the sustainability of our services which support children with life-shortening conditions and their families right across Scotland.

“We are indebted to Jess Greenhill for her passion in setting up this modest book stall all those years ago and thankful to Helen for continuing Jess’s legacy with such pride and dedication.”