This in from the Salvation Army, in their own words. Ed
The Salvation Army Trading Company’s recent poll of 2,000 consumers from across the UK has revealed that on average, we each receive three Christmas presents we don’t actually want.
The survey also revealed that in the South East we each expect to spend over £240 on gifts and Christmas outfits this year.
Christmas Charity Shop Challenge
Area Manger for Salvation Army Trading Company, Sally Walters, commented:
“It’s astonishing to find out that we spend so much at Christmas when so many people receive gifts they don’t actually want. For a population of over 60 million in the UK, that’s potentially millions of wasted presents as well as millions of wasted pounds!”
Sally Walters added:
“This is why we’re launching our Christmas Charity Shop Challenge in Ryde and Shanklin. Our charity shops are treasure troves for gift potential – Christmas jumpers or once-worn dresses, books and DVD box sets, vintage jewellery. The beauty is uncovering a real gem or a bargain and knowing your money is going towards a good cause that’s desperately in need of your support.”
Upload photos of your charity shop treasures
The charity, which runs 200 shops across the UK, is challenging people to spend just a little of their Christmas budget in charity shops to help make a big difference to those in need.
Shoppers are encouraged to ditch their habits and venture into their nearest charity shops, find or donate some treasures and upload photos online or by using #MyCharityChallenge.
How the money is spent
Profit that the Salvation Army Trading Company receives through the sale of generous donations from the British public is given to the charity to help people who are vulnerable and in need across the UK.
This includes homelessness and addiction services, care for older people, help at emergency incidents, support for adult victims of human trafficking in England and Wales and a Family Tracing Service.
£9 could help bring a homeless person in from the cold, £19 could go towards a Christmas box for a family in need, £28 could help give five lonely older people a Christmas lunch and friendship.
You can find the two Island Salvation Army charity shops at 153 High Street, Ryde PO33 2HT and 41 Regent Street, Shanklin PO37 7AF
