Heart charity's appeal to shoppers

A leading heart charity is calling on people in Sunderland to help raised cash for research – and protect the environment.

The British Heart Foundation is launching a ‘Reuse Revolution’ campaign – calling on people to make ‘preloved’ purchases as they get back out to their local high street.

The charity says say it local shop have some unique bargains – and hopes shoppers to take up new sustainable habits which will save money as well as help it save lives by funding vital medical research

The BHF say one in four people in the North East lose their lives to heart and circulatory diseases and every item sold in their shops helps raise funds for research that could help save lives.

Last year, BHF shops saved 71,000 tonnes of items from going to waste - including 180,000 sofas and 14,000 tonnes of preloved clothes.

This helped prevent 135,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions being released into the atmosphere.

Allison Swaine-Hughes, retail director at the BHF said: “I want to encourage people to help start a Reuse Revolution by shopping preloved with us.

"Not only will you save money and help the environment, but you’ll also help us raise vital funds for heart research that could save lives in the North East.”

The BHF says its shops in the North East stock a range of affordable unique items – from quality designer clothing to retro sportswear and vintage furniture, as well as one-of-a-kind homewares.

For more details, go to www.bhf.org.uk/ReuseRevolution.