Charity shops exist solely because of donations and they are always grateful for these.
You may not be aware that it would really help the volunteers if donations could be handed in clean and free of pet hair. The shops just don’t have the facilities to wash clothes and may not have the manpower or the time to spruce up items!
The same applies to things put in the metal bins provided in public locations as these wend their way to charity sorting centres.
Stained, frayed, ripped, faded clothes have to be discarded, I’m afraid, as do torn and dog-eared books, broken bric-a-brac, toys and games and jigsaws with pieces missing. This disposal can cost the charities money – and so defeats the object of making money for the cause!
The majority of charities cannot take items like cycle helmets, baby bottles, child car seats, cooking knives/sharp implements etc for health and safety reasons. Nor can they usually take old duvets, pillows, blankets etc for hygiene and fire safety reasons. Old videotapes cannot be recycled too.
The staff and volunteers are not being ungrateful if they say they are not able to accept certain items – they too have their rules to follow.
Best to check before staggering to the shop laden with your bin bags and boxes!
KAY PIKE
Axminster
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here