Charity scams
Do you get those annoying leaflets through the door made to look like requests to donate clothes to charity, except they're not really charities? I get them every so often and I know that many of you do too so I thought I could pass on what wisdom I've acquired from being in touch with many people who have had experiences with these shady organisations.
The leaflets come in different names with a variety of shapes and sizes and I've seen heart-shaped ones, ones saying they were supporting breast cancer research and children's charities but all of them seem to have contact details that don't work. There are a variety of scams in operation and the Daily Telegraph quoted figures saying that up to £10 million per year was being diverted from legitimate charities by these gangs and that some charities have been forced to set up intelligence units to combat the effects of the scams. The clothes collected from doorsteps are worth £500 a tonne wholesale but will often be sold as "vintage" for even higher amounts.
Charities are very close to my heart having worked for one, jumped out of a plane to support one and also having been the recipient of their care in the past. Most of us will be helped by charities at some point in our lives and it is loss if they have to cut back through lack of funds.
The British have always had a great tradition for being generous and supporting those who need it but unfortunately there are those who want to exploit that generosity for their own gain. Charities, and the people they help, need our support more than ever so as times change we need to keep giving and also become smarter givers to make sure that the money gets to the right people when they need it most.
My advice would be that if you have good quality items to donate then either give them to your local charity shop or perhaps even sell them on eBay and give the proceeds to the charity of your choice. If you really aren't able to get them down to the charity shop because the items are too big or you're not as mobile as you could be then do ask them if they will collect them from you or see the list of charities below which will collect items if it's viable for them to do so:
Furniture
Geranium Shops For The Blind - 020 8335 0522
Marie Curie Cancer Care - 01793 582500 (from Crawley)
The Princess Alice Hospice - 020 8547 2710 (Kingston)
FARA - 0208 898 2823 (Whitton)
Other smaller items
Sue Ryder Care - 020 8335 0864 and speak to Jane or Iris.
Saint Raphaels Hospice Shop - 020 8330 4501
British Heart Foundation - 020 8330 7428
Other Charity shops
Debra - 020 8337 6389
Or, why not advertise them FREE on the small ad section on www.ourKT4.com - there's a section on the forum ready and waiting.....
The Brinkster
brinkleyroad.blogspot.com
Links
Daily Telegraph article on charity scams
Guardian article on charity scams
Sutton Council Trading Standards press release
East Sussex County Council Trading Standards press release
Names and addresses of some prolific charity scams
HELP AND SUPPORT LIMITED
137 DOVER ROAD
NORTHFLEET
GRAVESEND
DA11 1QX
Company No. 05834199
helpsupportltd@hotmail.com
Polotex Ltd
131 NEASDEN LANE
LONDON
NW10 1PS
Company No. 06240970
polotexltd@yahoo.com
A & P COLLECTION LTD
323 CHAPTER ROAD
LONDON
NW2 5ND
Company No. 5769478
apcollectionltd@yahoo.co.uk
