Op shops are a treasure trove and most have a charitable purpose; now there’s a new op shop on the block – one with wheels.

Simply Central is a home and lifestyle series for your Sundays. We take a look at what’s hot, what’s not, and everything lifestyle.

From finding one-off vintage pieces to looking good on a budget, from spending your money to do good to recycling and thinking green, there are many reasons to op shop.

Thanks to Shirlene Steel and supporters of Animal Rehab Central, Central Otago has yet another reason to op shop – this one’s mobile, and coming to an event near you.

These bargains and more treasures are coming soon to an event near you.

“We wanted to open an op shop as a way of raising money for rehabilitation and feeding our rescued animals, but when I sat down and thought about it, I realised there just wasn’t enough money to go to them and to pay rent on a shop.

“So, we all put our heads together and decided that what we really needed was a caravan or something like that. That way we could go to the people, instead of getting them to come to us.”

Shirlene says they were very fortunate and had an amazing offer, better than a caravan - a furniture trailer they could use.

“A friend who’s an engineer checked it over and put another door in it, then we painted it, fitted it out, and we were good to go.

“We have Debbie Baird who has volunteered to manage the op shop, and others who have volunteered to help out when needed.”

The mobile op shop had a very successful first outing over Easter, Shirlene said. The op shop and its team of volunteers spent Saturday in Alexandra and Sunday in Clyde at the Wine and Food Festival.

“The weather wasn’t that compliant, but people were great. 

“It went really well  and we raised our first op shop funds. Plus we got the word out there about what we’re doing.”

The next outing for the mobile op shop and it’s volunteer team is the upcoming three-day NZ Pony Club Association Eventing championships at the Cromwell racecourse on ANZAC weekend.

So, make sure you go and check out the bargains on ANZAC weekend - all in a good cause.

Images supplied