Letter to editor for stock donations (regional papers)

Thursday 13 January, 2011

Dear Sir,

I am writing to ask your readers to donate unwanted Christmas gifts to their nearest Age UK shop this January. The Charity urgently needs stock to help fund its vital work to improve the lives of older people across the country.

For many of us, that ill-fitting jumper or ‘must have' gadget that you just don't need has already been shoved to the back of the cupboard. But there's a better way to get rid of those unwanted presents and do some good while you're at it: donate them to your nearest Age UK shop. Just think, one person's unwanted present can be another's prized find - with minimal effort you can keep giving even though Christmas is over.

Age UK relies on quality donations such as clothing, accessories, jewellery and gadgets to stock its shops, which are helping to raise funds to keep older people warm and well in winter as part of the Charity's Spread the Warmth campaign. In addition, Age UK is urging people to donate their old PCs and laptops (although not monitors) to their local Age UK shop. They will be refurbished and sold on with the profits Age UK makes going towards helping people in later life to start accessing the benefits the Internet has to offer.

If every household in cities the size of Manchester, Sheffield or Bristol donated just one item worth £5 an extra £1 million would be generated to improve the lives of older people. So it would be great if you could urge your readers to do their bit for Age UK this winter and help ‘Spread the Warmth'.

People can find their nearest Age UK shop by visiting www.ageuk.org.uk/local or calling Age UK on 0800 169 87 87.

Yours faithfully,

Hugh Forde
Managing Director Retail, Trading and Training, Age UK

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

Age UK works in partnership with Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI. For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is inspired by the belief that it can improve the lives of people in later life. It celebrates ageing and believes it presents unprecedented opportunities and challenges at home and abroad. Age UK will challenge ageist prejudice in society, provide services that address market failures and support the public and private sectors to design age-friendly products and services. It will support people to remain in their own homes through campaigning and practical services and its Information and Advice service will offer millions of people support on a range of issues from claiming benefits to staying fit and healthy.

Age UK will fund biomedical research that helps tackle the ill health and poor quality of life that are too common as people age. Working with over 350 partners across the country, Age UK helps influence local decisions and delivers the most appropriate services. Its network of over 500 shops will act as a focal point for the local community, providing information and help with local services. Age UK works across the globe as well as in the UK, with its international partner, Help Age International, championing older people's rights and needs and as an active member of the DEC.