Age UK in Thatcham calls for your unwanted Christmas gifts

A charity is calling on people to start off the New Year by donating unwanted presents for a good cause.

Christmas may be over but that doesn’t mean goodwill has to be said Age UK, as it appeals for those much appreciated but unwanted toys, jumpers and books.

The charity is calling for donations to help raise funds so that it can continue to run its vital services and make this winter a little brighter for older people.

A time that is already tough and challenging for older people, winter means that many routine services are scaled back over the holiday period and the colder weather also makes it harder for many people to get out and about.

At this difficult time, Age UK’s support services, including the charity’s free and confidential advice line and telephone friendship services become invaluable lifelines for vulnerable people.

Each year, Britons receive an average of two unwanted presents each, which equates to more than 119.5 million gifts that miss the mark, annually.

Of these, 22.7 million unwanted gifts are sent to landfill, but by sending them to Age UK, they can go on to be loved.

Shop manager at the Age UK shop in Thatcham, Donette Buckeridge, said: “It can be difficult to know what to do with gifts that will never be used, or that you don’t want.

“As a nation we are more environmentally aware than ever before, so instead of chucking or hiding them away, we are encouraging local residents to donate them to the Age UK shop in Thatcham."