Charity store Trinity Market this week handed over cheques to the Merriwa and District Rescue Squad and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

The donations were made possible after the store last year recorded its best takings in its 20-year history.

“We make our money through the community making donations and then spending in store,” Trinity Market manager Olive Hancock said.

“We are very community focused here and so are the rescue squad and Westpac helicopter.

“They are both very important to us here in Merriwa.”

Merriwa and District Rescue Squad secretary Don Beeney accepted the cheque on behalf of the squad’s 12 volunteers and said the money would be well spent.

“We rely on community support and that’s how we have survived for more than 30 years,” Mr Beeney said. “It means a fair bit to us. Every dollar we receive is important. Upkeep is very expensive and we are looking at buying two new awnings for our rescue trucks so the money will go towards those.”

The Bettington Street shop recorded an increase in total earnings of 8 per cent last year, which has delighted the 23 volunteers who offer their time.

The increase has been put down to a change in location, which has given the store a bigger showroom and is easily accessible for all customers.

The main street frontage has also helped.