Charitable Clothing Collection Services
There are many commercial companies who purport to collect clothes for distribution amongst
charitable organisations when they are in fact sold for profit. Typical messages may vary
from 'your donation will go to poor families in Eastern Europe' or 'proceeds will go to
help the needy'. In reality however the commercial nature of the venture is the same - to make
profit.
There are a number of guidelines that can help determine the genuine from the shams including: -
- Is the organiser's full name, address and telephone number given on any leaflets or
literature, distributed?
- Does the leaflet or collection bag show a registered charity number? Many companies
display a company registration number - this is purely for registration at Companies House
and has no bearing on the companies charitable status.
- The company must indicate how much of the donation or sums realised will actually go to
the Charity.
- If the company collects on behalf of one specific charity then the charity should be
named in any fundraising material. 'Needy Orphans' or 'Sick Children' is not specific enough.
- House to house collection requires a licence or permit from the local authority.
Without one it is illegal to collect.
- If you wish to check any charity or company involved then you should feel free to contact
the company itself. If you are not satisfied with the response then do not donate.
- If you have any queries or doubts about the legitimacy or organisations you may contact
the Charities Commission help-line on 0870-333-0123 (or your local trading standards department).
It is also worth remembering that there is always a choice for you to donate directly to a
chosen charity by donating clothes and unwanted items directly to the charity. By doing so,
the charity benefit fully from your donation.
Trading Standards Division, 3rd Floor, Wallasey Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 8ED
Telephone: 08454 04 05 06 Fax: (0151) 691 8098
Internet World Wide Web http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/wirral/
Electronic Mail: tradingstandards@wirral.gov.uk
