Keighley volunteers are looking forward to helping save more lives after raising more than £50,000 for people without access to safe drinking water.

Since it was established nearly four years ago, the Fresh Waters Christian charity shop has generated enough cash to buy about 1,000 water filters for people in the developing world. Each filter is capable of helping six people.

The Bridge Street shop originated in a fundraising drive carried out by members of Keighley’s Liberty Church.

Their table-top sales in aid of the Samaritans Purse Turn on the Tap campaign were so successful they decided to capitalise on people’s goodwill by launching a permanent charity shop.

Volunteers include Chris and Glenis Kounnas, of Aireworth Street.

Mrs Kounnas said: “People not having access to clean drinking water, especially when they’re children, is one of the world’s biggest killers.

“We think helping to provide them with water filters is a brilliant project, as it’s such a simple, practical way of saving lives. It’s something we take for granted here.

“We’ve had such a tremendous response in terms of the amount of stock we have coming in. We could ideally do with bigger premises.”

She expressed her thanks to everyone who has supported the shop’s activities during the past four years.

Mrs Kounnas also wanted customers to be aware the shop is now selling bargain furniture, which it has in store in premises close to its Bridge Street outlet.

“Things are still going very well,” she added. “This month, we’ve sent £1,000 to Samaritans Purse, and last month it was £1,200.

“Ninety-five per cent of what we take goes to charity. We’re all volunteers, apart from one part-time worker. We have a very good team. We can’t change the world, but we can make a difference to a small community if everyone does their bit.”