Oxfam shop founder Mitty dies
2 October 2007
The man who
set up the first Oxfam charity shop in 1949, Joseph Mitty MBE has
died at the age of 88 after serving the charity for 33 years.
Oxfam's first ever paid employee, managing its first charity
shop in Oxford, died on Sunday September 30th and Oxfam officials
called his death "a great loss".
Mr Mitty's first role at Oxfam was managing accounts and
supervising the distribution of clothes to Europe for
poverty-stricken families whose situation was caused by World War
II.
Yet he saw the potential of selling donations for pure profit
rather than sending them overseas, which meant that items other
than clothes could be accepted.
Indeed in his time he sold items ranging from unwanted gifts to
a houseboat and even once sold a live donkey.
In 2002 he said: "I was a sort of Christopher Columbus of the
1940s. I had no idea how to price things and when. But: I had two
words - Rage, and Passion. Rage because of the inequality and
injustice in the world, and a Passion to do something about
it."
Using the help of celebrities such as Laurence Olivier, and the
Beatles, Mr Mitty promoted Oxfam's work, and by 1971 the charity's
shops were bringing in over £1 million a year.
While Joe officially retired from Oxfam in 1982, he continued to
work with the charity in a non-official role.
Last year, he received a lifetime achievement award from Tony
Blair at the Pride of Britain awards.
Barbara Stocking, Director of Oxfam said: "Joe changed the world
forever, and for the better. He described himself as a ''little old
man'' but he was truly a giant among men. His death is a great loss
to Oxfam and to the world, but his life should be a beacon to
everyone.
"Without Joe, Oxfam would not be the organisation it is today
and his passion and fight to improve the lives of poor people lives
on amongst our staff and volunteers. He was one of the fore-fathers
of Britain's now vibrant charity sector and I am sure the legacy of
his work in Oxfam''s shops will continue for many years to
come."
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