Help fund a guide dog by donating your old phone

You can recycle any old phones at the Newtown Road Household Waste Recycling Centre in Newbury

WEST Berkshire residents can help raise funds for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association by recycling their phones.

West Berkshire Council and Veolia Environmental Services have teamed up with the Guide Dogs, based in Burghfield Common, to help boost mobile phone donations at the Newtown Road Household Waste Recycling Centre.

For every mobile phone donated by the general public, £3.50 will be donated to the charity, which helps bring independence and freedom to visually impaired people.

West Berkshire executive councillor for the environment, Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley), said: “Simply remove the SIM Card from your old mobile phone and take it to the recycling centre.

“With your support we can get even nearer to our target of 1500 old phones, which will completely fund one puppy.”

Communications manager for Veolia Environmental Services in West Berkshire, Keely Gallagher said: “Collecting the phones not only means we are able to recycle even more of your waste, but helps to make a big difference to the valuable work the Guide Dogs do.”

Regional development fundraiser for Guide Dogs, Heather Bradley added: "We're confident that most people will have an old mobile phone tucked away so this is a fundraising appeal that everyone in West Berkshire can help to support.”

To find out more about the recycling scheme contact West Berkshire Council's customer service team on 01635 519080 or email customerservices@westberks.gov.uk

If you are interested in further ways you can support the Guide Dogs call 0845 372 7340 or visit the charity's website by clicking the link below.