Local MP helps Cancer Research campaign
Ealing Southall MP, Virendra Sharma, is helping to highlight the shortage of good quality stock facing many of the high street’s favourite charity shops.
The MP dropped off a bag of unwanted goods at the Cancer Research UK shop in West Ealing last week (18th May) as part of the Choose Charity Shops campaign.
Research by the Charity Retail Association, which runs the initiative, shows more and more people are relying on charity shops.
While this is great news for charities and the people who benefit from the money they raise, many such as Cancer Research UK’s store aren’t getting enough donations from the public to keep up with the increased demand.
In response Mr Sharma has joined forces with the charity, to call on people in West Ealing to follow three simple steps: ‘Dig it Out, Bag it Up, Drop it Off!’
He said: “Cancer Research UK’s shops rely on donations from the public to help fund their life-saving work. So I encourage everyone to clear out their wardrobes and cupboards of unwanted clothes, CDs, DVDs, books and quality household goods and drop them off. Each bag of donated goods could be worth up to £30 to the charity and even £37.50 through Gift Aid.”
People who donate goods to Cancer Research UK will be helping to fund vital research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer – a disease that will affect more than one-in-three people in the UK at some stage in their lives.
Cancer Research UK’s West Ealing shop manager, Emma Markarian, said: “We’re very grateful for the goods donated by Virendra Sharma and hope people in West Ealing will follow his example.
“The unused and unwanted items in people’s homes could be worth thousands of pounds to our shop. It’s a difficult time for everybody, but buying and donating stock is a great way to continue to support Cancer Research UK and grab a bargain – especially in the current climate when people might feel less able to make a cash donation.
“We’re also always on the lookout for new volunteers, so if you feel like you could donate a few hours of your time to help support Cancer Research UK, please come along to the shop and ask us about volunteering.”
Cancer Research UK is a member of the Charity Retail Association. For more information on the Choose Charity Shops campaign, please visit www.choosecharityshops.org.
For more information on Cancer Research UK’s shops, please visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/shops.
22 May 2012