MP Anne backs campaign to bolster charity shops
ANNE McGUIRE recently backed a nationwide drive to encourage more people to donate to charity shops.
Johnathon Menzies
The 'Choose Charity Shops' project ran from May 14-15 and was championed by members of the Charity Retail Association.
In addition to hordes of other good causes, the initiative was supported by national health and social care group Sue Ryder – which has almost 400 outlets throughout the UK.
Those behind the campaign claim that charity shops provide 180,000 volunteering placements and 17,000 jobs nationwide, but need donations to continue their work.
And, following a visit to the Sue Ryder outlet on Dunblane's High Street, Stirling MP Mrs McGuire declared: "I was delighted to bring along a donation to support the Sue Ryder shop in Dunblane and to raise awareness of the Charity Retail Association's 'Choose Charity Shops' campaign.
"Charity shops do a great job reusing goods and helping to raise over £200million-a-year for UK charities.
"The shop in Dunblane offers a brilliant retail experience for local people as well as creating jobs and volunteering opportunities. The funds raised also play an important role in contributing to Sue Ryder's vital work delivering high-quality care in Stirling and across the UK."
The Labour politician added: "I would encourage the people of Stirling to visit, not only the Sue Ryder shop in Dunblane, but the many charity shops situated throughout the constituency and to continue to support their work by making a donation of any unwanted items throughout the year."
Sue Moorby, retail business manager at Sue Ryder, added: "Charity shops also play a key role as community hubs.
"People like to shop in charity shops, not only because they know they can find good quality products at an affordable price, but also because they like the idea of helping a worthwhile cause.
"Shops like ours benefit the local community as a whole. They help raise money which goes back into providing vital services to local people who need them most."
Warren Alexander, chief executive of the Charity Retail Association, said: "Charity shops simply can't survive without donations of items from the public to sell, and the thousands of charity shops taking part in last week's campaign shows how big an issue this is.
"Donating items to a charity shop is a great way to support a good cause when people have less money to give by way of cash donations."
It's thought as many as 6000 charity shops took part in the recent campaign throughout the country, including several others in the Stirling area.
A representative for 'Choose Charity Shops' said the UK's network of charity outlets help to cut the country's carbon emissions by approximately 3.7 million tonnes every year by recycling unwanted goods.
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