Helping those who cannot help themselves

Our Origins

Overview Annie’s Orphans began in 1997, after a visit to India revealed the deprivation and suffering - particularly of orphans and widows. What to do? The inspiration was to start a charity shop in order to support an orphanage. Our first shop, started on the High Street of Bangor, North Wales. However, after further trips to India and other nations it became clear about additional needs, so a second (furniture) shop was opened in Bangor. Since then, the projects that Annie’s supports has increased and the number of shops have also increased. The works supported span a number of countries over four continents. The shops are located across the UK - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Many of these shops were started as people came onboard, having grasped the vision and purpose of the charity. The shops are currently the sole source of regular funding and this covers all the ongoing projects we support and our operational costs. You can look under Works to see the regular projects and under How to help to find ways of being involved or how to donate online. Annie’s has had, and continues to have, a tremendous impact on transforming the lives of many individuals around the world. Hence the motto, “Helping those who cannot help themselves” is not mere words, but a reality. We see it as a privilege to be involved in making a real difference. Annie’s operates out of Bangor Pentecostal Church, under it’s Director, with the trustees of the church functioning as the governing body of the charity.

Director & Founder

It was Rev Pauline Edwards, the Pastor of Bangor Pentecostal Church, who went to India in 1987 and was staggered by the number of people coming up to her asking for help and by the suffering she could see all around. She couldn't do much at the time, so she prayed to God (resolving that she had to do something) and was inspired to open a charity shop called Annie’s Orphans. She had no retail experience at all, yet with continuing prayer and the support of some members of the church, it all began and continues to grow to meet many needs.