Alcester Door-to-Door Street Collections Reminder
If you live in the Alcester area you may have recently received a flyer through your door asking you to donate clothes and other items to help people in third world countries.
Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service is concerned that some Warwickshire residents receiving these requests for unwanted items may mistakenly think that they have been organised by a registered charity.
However in some cases these collections are being organised by private traders, with the items collected sold in the UK and abroad for profit.
Mark Ryder, Head of Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards said:
“Many charities now ask householders for old clothes and other items, which can be sold for charitable purposes. However, not everyone who comes to your home or drops in a plastic bag is operating on behalf of a charity. Some collectors will be businesses, asking for unwanted items which can be sold for profit.”
Trading Standards Officers advise that if you want to ensure that your donation will benefit a charitable organisation, either give directly to a charity shop, consider using a charity clothing bank or similar, or donate via a charity shop collection sack. These should make clear reference to the charity registration number and many will also carry the Association of Charity Shops Kitemark.
Consumers are further advised to read flyers carefully so as not to mistake a business registration number (often printed on these sorts of flyers) for a charity number.
If a householder has any doubts about a leaflet asking for donations, they can contact the Charity Commission helpline on 0845 3000 218 to check whether the collection is for or on behalf of a registered charity, or visit their website.