Age UK shops launch the Big Bag Challenge

Age UK shops call upon people to take on the Big Bag Challenge

Age UK launches October stock appeal to raise vital funds for older people

Unwanted items at the ready! We're calling on you to support our nationwide stock appeal, The Big Bag Challenge, by donating as many bags of quality unused clothing or goods as possible.

Whether it's last season's festival wear, a leftover summer read or toys the children have outgrown, we're encouraging everyone to donate a bag full of unwanted items to raise funds for our work supporting older people*.

Age UK is launching The Big Bag Challenge on 5th October and volunteers in Age UK shops will be on hand to receive bags of donations with the goal of reaching 100,000 bags of goods across the country in just two weeks. All types of quality goods are accepted, including clothing, shoes, books, accessories and home wares and every bag donated will help raise much-needed funds for the Charity.

It really couldn't be easier - just drop a bag of unwanted items to your local Age UK shop. Only with your support can we continue our work to raise vital funds to support lonely older people both in the local area and across the UK and give everyone a chance to love later life. Any bag will do and every bag you fill really does count!"

Age UK has over 420 shops across the UK which generate much-needed funds for the Charity's work with older people, whilst encouraging everyone to recycle unwanted goods, all of which are then sold on to be loved again. Go to www.ageuk.org.uk/bigbagchallenge to find your local store and get more information.

Funds raised will allow Age UK to continue it's vital work of supporting those who are facing later life alone, enabling the Charity to provide companionship, support and advice, as well as its free national advice line (open 365 days a year) and vital campaigning work.

- Ends -

Notes to editors:

Ref: KRSWHFCA

For more information on Age UK Retail, please contact Hannah Barker-Green in the Age UK Media team on 0203 033 1427 or email Hannah.barker-green@ageuk.org.uk

*Donations can be maximised by signing up to gift aid. Simply completing a basic form when you donate good means that Age UK will receive an extra 25p for every £1 raised form donations from the Government. The extra money doesn't cost a penny and will help raise vital funds for people in later life.

Age UK

We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI and our local Age UK partners in England (together the Age UK Family). We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK believes that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances. We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well-being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).