Above: From left, Kathy Manners and her son Koby, 8, her husband Robert, Satish Chand and volunteer Bob Day

Published: 20 April, 2012
by PETER GRUNER

MOTORISTS stopping to donate items to a charity shop at Highbury Corner are being fined £60 for illegal parking – even though they are leaving vehicles outside for less than a minute.

The culprit is a “Big Bro­ther” CCTV camera aimed at a parking bay out­side the cancer care charity shop Marie Curie in St Paul’s Road.

Since new rules were intro­duced by Islington Council’s parking controllers, it is illegal to leave a vehicle even for a minute outside the shop before 10am or after 4pm.

Holloway artist Kathy Manners, whose father Gerald died of cancer three years ago, has already been fined twice, a total of £120, for illegal parking.

Ms Manners, who also donates money from painting to the charity, said: “Twice now myself and my husband Robert have parked outside to offload clothes, books and toys and other donations and have been captured by the camera and fined. It’s very upsetting because we park for less than a minute each time.”

Shop manager Satish Chand said a number of customers have complained about getting tickets. “People don’t realise the parking rules have changed although there is a board outside explaining the hours. These fines will put off people who can help the charity with their generosity.”

• Ms Manners is seeking sponsors for a Swimathon at Highbury Pool on April 28 in aid of Marie Curie. Go to: http://my.artezglobal.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=371309&langPref=en-CA