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Mind charity shops call for community-wide ‘secret Santas’
Posted Thursday 15 December 2011
Give a gift to someone you don’t know this Christmas by donating an item to a Mind charity shop during your Christmas shopping.
Buying Christmas presents at charity shops is an increasingly a popular option with research showing that 38% of us have already bought a charity shop gift this winter or are planning to do so1, and in anticipation of items flying off the shelves, Mind's charity shops are calling for people to help make someone else’s Christmas by donating clothes, accessories, books or other gifts.
Charity shops are in demand for children’s and adult’s gifts at Christmas, with shops stocking toys and books as well as clothing and brand new jewellery, accessories and winter wear.
While many people are keen to give to charity through their purchases, the shop is calling on individuals who are having a pre-Christmas clear out, or simply have unused items to spare, to ‘give a gift to a stranger’ by making donations to the store this festive season.
In addition to residents giving something directly to others in their communities, all proceeds from donations will ultimately go to fund Mind’s vital work in supporting the 1 in 4 people who experience mental health problems.
Andrew Vale, Managing Director of Mind Retail said:
Christmas is a time when many of us are thinking about how we can give to charity as well as what to give to each other, and we’re thrilled that people are coming into our shops to pick up gifts and stocking fillers for loved ones.
Even if you’re not planning on buying from us this year, we’re asking residents to drop in and make a donation – essentially adding someone they don’t know to their Christmas shopping list!
Your local Mind shop depends on donations and whether you’re a parent clearing away things your children have outgrown in preparation for this year’s Christmas presents, or you have a jumper it’s time to part with, we’d love you to drop in and donate.
Mind shops rely on local generosity for over 95% of product donations and every bag dropped off has a cash equivalent of £20 once converted to saleable stock.
The proceeds go to fund the charity’s critical work such as Mind’s helpline, information and advice services and the campaigning Mind does to secure a better life for people with mental health problems.
For editors
- Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. www.mind.org.uk
- For more information, interviews and a range of case studies please contact Mind media team o: T: 0208522 1743 M: 07850 788514 media@mind.org.uk
- To find a local Mind charity shop visit: www.mind.org.uk/charityshops
- Please note Mind is not an acronym and should be set in title case