Charity launches drive for good-quality stock

Oct 1 2009 by Debbie Hall, West Lothian Courier

A LEADING charity is urging West Lothian people to support its appeal and take part in the nation’s biggest-ever stock appeal.

The British Heart Foundation’s BIG Donation campaign needs donations of good-quality items to help Scotland reach its target of 45,000 bags of stock.

The charity is aiming to achieve £7million worth of donations nationwide, equivalent to 350,000 bags of good-quality stock to be taken into BHF Shops or participating Argos, Homebase or Lidl stores across the country.

The nationwide launch of The BIG Donation follows the recent success at The Centre, Livingston, where local people generously donated over 500 bags of unwanted items, helping the appeal to get off to a flying start.

The stock appeal comes as the charity revealed a 20 per cent drop in stock donations over the last 12 months, despite BHF Shops being busier than ever. Jane Flannery, area manager for West Lothian BHF Shops, said: “The BIG Donation is the biggest challenge of its kind in the country and I’m positive that our local residents will help us to smash the target for our area and out-donate every other region in the UK.

“In times of a recession, our shops offer something unique, a great shopping experience with competitive prices. But good-quality stock is the lifeblood of our shops and it’s disheartening to see a drop in donations.

“If you have a look in your home, no doubt you will find items like that dress you bought for your best friend’s wedding that no longer fits, a shirt that looked great in the shop but not in the light of day and the unread books on your shelf that are just gathering dust.”

Just nine books donated to a BHF Shop can buy an hour of life saving research into heart disease by a leading scientist.

And one pair of good-quality shoes can help a cardiac nurse provide vital information for a parent whose child has just been diagnosed with congenital heart disease, while seven handbags can fund a Heartstart UK training pack to teach people what to do in a life-threatening emergency.

Everyone can help by donating quality clothing, accessories, music, DVDs, books, toys and bric-a-brac, to any BHF Shop or participating Homebase, Argos and Lidl store.

Act now and be a part of the Big Donation by filling up a bag or give unwanted furniture or electrical items a new home by calling any of the BHF Furniture and Electrical stores for a free collection.

You can even organise your own BIG Donation event at work or college.

For more information on The BIG Donation, to find your closest designated drop-point, or register for your free BIG Donation Event pack visit www.bhf.org.uk/bigdonation