Don’t dump it on the doorstep
RESIDENTS should keep their charity shop donations at home, warned the Charity Retail Association.
The group has launched a campaign urging the public to stop leaving items outside of closed charity shops or already full donation banks.
Instead, residents are asked to hold on to their donations until shops reopen — unless alternative donation options are available.
At the moment, donations dropped outside charity shops or overflowing donation banks are getting destroyed by the weather or ruined by animals.
It will cost charities more money to dispose of ruined donations, instead of benefiting from the value of quality items.
Robin Osterley, chief executive of the Charity Retail Association said: “With so many people using the lockdown as an opportunity to have a clear out, we are grateful to everyonewho is putting aside items to donate to charity shops.
“We are optimistic that when charity shops reopen therewill be a surge in donations of high-quality preloved items and strong customer saleswhichwill raise much needed funds to help those in need.”
Allison Swaine-Hughes, retail director at the British Heart Foundation, added: “Since the more recent closure of our shops, we have had some incidents of donations being left outside and althoughwe appreciate the public’s enthusiasm to donate, we would kindly ask that no items are left at shops or donation bank sites, aswe are currently unable to collect them, meaning they end up aswaste whichwe have to pay to dispose of.
“We truly appreciate the continued support andwould encourage those decluttering during this time to also consider posting us any unwanted, quality items such as jewellery, books or vinyl records via our freepost service.”
To donate via the British Heart Foundation’s freepost service, visit: bhf.org.uk/ postyourdonations
SEARCH AND rescue teams in the Thames Valley have been awarded £20,000 by the police and crime commissioner.
Anthony Stansfeld, has awarded the funds to three Lowland Search and Rescue Teams and two Search Dog Teams in the region.
It will be used for advanced mapping system, MAPYX, and equipment for Search Technicians.
Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue, which is based in Arborfield, received £5,000 alongwith Buckinghamshire Search and Rescue and Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire.
MAPYX allows search teams to share maps digitally, and send out live track texts to lost or vulnerable missing persons.
Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs received £2,500 as did Search Dogs Buckinghamshire to helpwith running costs, as well as equipment.
Mr Stansfeld, said hewas delighted to award the funding to organisations that regularly help Thames Valley Police search for vulnerable, missing persons.
"The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has meant that some organisations are finding it increasingly difficult to secure funding,” the PCC added. “I am therefore delighted to be able to award this exceptional funding to help support these organisations and, in turn, keep our communities safe."
Thames Valley Police deputy chief constable Jason Hogg, said he hoped the moneywould help the organisations continue their “greatwork” with Thames Valley Police and other partners.
"These are volunteer organisations and the assistance they have provided to Thames Valley Police in a number of missing persons investigations has, on many occasions, been paramount to successful outcomes,” he said.
“Wewill continue towork with their teams, whowill continue to provide valuable support to the force in the future.”
Teresa Archer, vice chair of Lowland Search and Rescue, said the funding is excellent news for the teams, after significant fundraising losses last year.
She added: “All Lowland Rescue teams are independent charities and are available 24/7 to support their police forces in searching for vulnerable missing people.
“Most of them receive little or no secure funding to cover the annual running costs needed to maintain that availability and this grantwill significantly help the Thames Valley teams.
“Bymaking this award, the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner has demonstrated his commitment to Lowland Rescue teams across Thames Valley and that their service and partnership workwith Thames Valley Police is truly valued.”
The £20,000was largely secured through the Police PropertyAct Fund (PPAF), created from money recovered by the police and the proceeds from the sale of items that cannot be returned to identified owners, including seizures from criminals.