Gainsborough: Charity shop’s plea for help as donations are declining

A Gainsborough charity shop that supports vulnerable and elderly people across the district is struggling due to a lack of donations
Age UK Lindsey in Gainsborough are looking for new donations G130924-2bAge UK Lindsey in Gainsborough are looking for new donations G130924-2b
Age UK Lindsey in Gainsborough are looking for new donations G130924-2b

Age UK Lindsey provides a wide range of services for older people across East and West Lindsey, from home support to a befriending scheme.

Donations to its six charity shops around the district help to fund these vital services for elderly people.

But at its shop on Church Street in Gainsborough, the volunteers have noticed a dramatic decline in donations coming in.

“The reduction in the amount of donations has been a problem for quite a long time,” said sale assistant Donna Clark.

“And now that people can get cash for the clothes they are donating, not as many people come into us - which is understandable.”

“A lot of people also get us mixed up with Age UK, a national branch that does door to door pick-ups.”

“We simply don’t have the resources to do that.”

Every penny that the Age UK Lindsey charity shop makes goes to fund services that support elderly people in the local community.

“All of the money raised in our shop goes back to the local community to pay for home support people,” said Donna.

“They go round to older people’s homes and make sure they have everything they need.”

“That could be making sure they are getting the benefits they are entitled to, helping them get into town, doing shopping or collecting prescriptions.”

The shop accepts all items including books, DVDs, clothing, electricals and furniture.

They are also able to arrange for larger items, such as furniture, to be collected directly from people’s homes.

People can call in with whatever they have, or just give us a call if they to arrange to have a larger item collected,” added Donna.

“We are also on the look out for volunteers to help out in the shop.”

“If anyone can spare anything from a couple of hours to a couple of days a week then we would love to hear from them.”

“They just need to pop in to the shop or give us a call for a quick chat and we can take it from there.”

If you have items to donate, simply drop them in at the Age UK Lindsey charity shop at 14 Church Street.

To arrange to have a larger item collected, or to enquire about volunteering, call the shop on 01427 615399.

The shop is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday.

To find out more about Age UK Lindsey visit www.ageuk.org.uk/lindsey