28/07/2010

Lend a big hand this September

This August we are encouraging people in to be part of something big by joining our team of volunteers to help with the UK’s biggest ever stock appeal – The Big Donation.

We are aiming to bring in 400,000 bags of stock – the equivalent of £8 million - so we are looking for Big Donation volunteers from August through to October to support our 650 Shops, including our chain of 100 Furniture & Electrical Stores.

Volunteers are essential to the success of the charity. Each Shop needs 115 hours of time every week from its volunteers who donate the equivalent of more than £36 million in time.¹

Volunteering at a BHF Shop is a fantastic way to help us fight heart disease – the UK’s biggest killer. If you’d like to get involved but have limited time to spare this could be the perfect opportunity. It’s also a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, or simply give something back to the community.

There are lots of different roles in BHF Shops available including:

  • Big Donation volunteers – We need lots of people to lend a hand! From helping out at local collection events, handing out donation bags or helping in our shops, any time you can give can make a big difference.
  • Stock Generation Volunteers - You’ll play a key part in getting more stock through the doors of your local BHF Shop. You’ll be liaising with clubs and businesses to organise events as well as placing donation bins in the local community and getting your hands on end of line stock from retailers.

Mike Lucas, Retail Director for British Heart Foundation says: "Be part of something big and make a real difference by joining our team of Big Donation volunteers. Our high street shops are expected to raise over £20 million this year which simply isn’t possible without the help of our fantastic volunteers. There are a huge number of roles available to suit a whole range of people and whatever time and skills you have to spare”.

For more information on The Big Donation and the roles available visit bhf.org.uk/bigdonation or call 0844 412 5000.

For media enquiries, please call Jilly Gray at the British Heart Foundation on 0207 554 0167 or email grayj@bhf.org.uk

¹ Figure based on 16,000 volunteers, volunteering for seven and a half hours per week at minimum hourly rate of £5.80.