Taunton 'give more' plea by charities

People in Taunton are being urged to donate more and better items to charity shops this week and over the coming year.

The "Choose Charity Shops" campaign will not only add to the millions raised each year for good causes, but also save resources and energy while diverting items away from costly landfill, which will save money for council taxpayers.

A host of charities are part of Choose Charity Shops, including the British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross, Cancer Research UK, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Oxfam, Shelter, Sue Ryder and YMCA.

They are asking the public to donate unwanted items of good quality in working order directly to their chosen charity shop this week, and pledge to continue donating to charity shops for the coming year.

Bucking the high street trend, charity shops have seen their income rise 3.6% to almost £1billion as nearly one million more customers have come through their doors since last summer in response to the recession.

Charities are struggling to meet that rising demand, and keen to attract gifts nice enough to be sold, so - except for old or worn clothes and textiles that still have some value - the items should be clean, unbroken and complete.

To avoid rewarding a thief who will leave a mess that must cleared up by someone else, do not leave items outside closed charity shops.

For larger items or electrical goods, a call to the shop to see if they have space or have an expert who checks for safety, could save time and effort.

For most household goods and appliances, including larger items and kitchen equipment, even bicycles and rugs, the furniture reuse charities throughout Somerset offer an alternative and may even collect for free.

For reuse or recycling, clothes and shoes are among the 10 materials taken in the weekly kerbside Sort It Plus collections. Together with textiles and bric-a-brac, clothes and shoes can be taken to recycling sites for reuse or recycling.

For more on reuse, check here, and find charity shop addresses and phone numbers, search by town or postcode at www.choosecharityshops.org.