Volunteers at The Bookworm Gallery presented Stawell Regional Health and Eventide Homes representatives with $10,000 each on Tuesday, while also donating a further $5000 to Drought Angels to support farmers.

The $25,000 collection of donations is the largest amount the group has made since beginning in 2003, taking the total donated to community groups in that time to nearly $200,000.

”It is all for the benefit of the local community,” Bookworm Gallery manager Cherrelle Nicholson said.

“We have 14 volunteers that volunteer their time and they all love it, we get to meet different people and keep engaged with the community.”

Mrs Nicholson said the group has been able to increase the size of its donations due to recent success.

“We used to be happy with $30 a day, now a get between $150 and $200 on a good day,” she said.

“We have a lot of visitors come back which is quite rewarding to see.

“Just six months ago we also donated $8000 to the hospital and $7000 to Eventide so things are going well.”

The group sells books, shoes, clothing, furniture and also provides specials to those in need.​

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