All fourteen Heart of Kent Hospice charity shops are now preparing for Christmas and are appealing for donations of new and high-quality stock ahead of the Christmas rush including Christmas jumpers which are in high demand year after year!
Each year, the UK purchases around 12 million new Christmas jumpers and many are discarded after only being worn once, often ending up in landfill or forgotten at the back of a wardrobe.
Mark Mickelburgh who is Head of Retail at Heart of Kent Hospice said: “Rather than sending your preloved Christmas jumpers to landfills or taking up room in your wardrobe, consider the more sustainable option and donate to one of our charity shops who are able to sell Christmas jumpers almost as soon as they are put out for sale!”
Top 5 Christmas items sold at Heart of Kent Hospice charity shops:
- Christmas decorations, including working lights
- Christmas Jumpers
- New, unwanted gifts in original boxes (including perfume and aftershave)
- New soft toys, toys and Jigsaws
- Homeware – crockery, cookware and bakeware as well as any collectables
Guidance on Donations
All donations are gratefully received and it’s especially helpful when donations are packed carefully, preferably not in mixed bags, to facilitate sorting. It is also important not to leave donations outside, as this can lead to the loss or damage of goods. The shops are unable to take duvets, pillows and damaged china and glassware. When you drop off donations the first time, please sign up for Gift Aid, as this increases the value of our donations by 25% for every pound spent in the shops.
Supporting the Hospice Through Fundraising
The Heart of Kent charity shops also sell lottery tickets as a fundraising initiative. All proceeds help support the hospice, which requires £7.4 million annually to provide essential services and support to terminally ill patients and their families. The network of charity shops contribute towards the necessary income required for the hospice to meet the growing demand for its free services in the community.
Volunteering Opportunities
The Heart of Kent retail shops are urgently seeking new volunteers. Anyone able to contribute a few hours or even a full day is encouraged to get in contact with the People Services Team at the hospice.
There are 14 hospice charity shops in towns and villages across mid-Kent from Headcorn, Staplehurst and West Malling, to Maidstone, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.
For more information about volunteering, contact the People Services Team at [email protected] or call 01622 792200.
