BHF shops
Almost a fifth of Brits have donated unwanted Christmas gifts to charity before
From that book you received two of, to clothes that simply don’t fit – we are calling on the public to donate any quality unwanted Christmas gifts to help fund our lifesaving research into heart and circulatory diseases.
A survey, which was carried out by Censuswide before Christmas, found that almost a fifth (19 per cent) of Brits have donated their unwanted Christmas gifts to charity before.
Funding a good cause
The survey of 2,010 people found that the main reasons people donated the gifts they didn’t want to keep included helping to fund a good cause (54 per cent), decluttering (47 per cent), not liking their gift (33 per cent) and receiving multiples of the same gift (25 per cent).
Of those who had donated gifts to charity, 39 per cent had donated clothes, 19 per cent had donated toys, and 6 per cent had donated gift sets.
Whether it’s an unopened toy, a jumper that doesn’t fit or a book you already have – simply pop them in the post by downloading a freepost label from the BHF website or take them down to your local BHF shop. In a year, the BHF saves over 57,000 tonnes of goods from going to waste and through the reuse and recycling of donated items, helps prevent 130,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions being released into the atmosphere.
Time to declutter
January is also the perfect time to declutter and prepare for the new year.
Kate Ibbotson, professional declutterer and BHF supporter said: “After Christmas, homes can be filled to the brim with people and gifts. Once the festive cheer has settled, some gifts can fall out of favour and add to clutter.
“January is the perfect time to have a clear out and donate any quality items to charity to find a new home. Have some donation bags ready and if you notice your children don’t warm to a gift or you’ve accumulated multiples, pop them to one side and drop them to your local BHF shop. Your friends and family won’t be put out knowing they’re helping to fund lifesaving research.&rdquo
Post-Christmas clear out
Allison Swaine-Hughes, our Retail Director, said: “At the BHF, we see an increase in toys, accessories, homewares, personal tech and books donated at this time of year.
“Our survey shows us just how many Brits have a post-Christmas clear out of the items they don’t need - and how we need more people to donate their unwanted, high quality gifts to us. It’s not only free and easy but helps fund our lifesaving research.”