Time For a Pre-Christmas Clear Out! 📦 🎄

Age UK shop in The Grove Centre Witham encourages people

to have a pre-Christmas clear-out in a final call for the 2022 Challenge 🎅

 

With Christmas just around the corner, many of us will be getting set to deck the halls and enjoy the festive season. Encouraging everyone to make space for merry-making, the Age UK shop in Witham is calling on the local community to have a pre-Christmas clear-out and donate their unwanted items to the Charity. 🧸

 

The plea comes as Age UK gets ready to wrap up the 2022 Challenge, which aims to help the Charity’s shops receive 2.2 million bags of donations by the end of the year. 

So far over 2 million bags have been donated to Age UK shops across the country, with items sold on to be loved again and funds raised going towards vital services supporting older people who may have no one else to turn to. But the challenge isn’t over and the Age UK shop in Witham is urging people to continue supporting the appeal ahead of the festive season. 

For many older people, the festive period can be a difficult and lonely time, especially when they have no one to talk to or ill health means they can’t get out and about. However, Age UK knows that this year is set to be even harder as large numbers also face a perilous winter of soaring energy prices and high inflation.

Age UK’s services are vital lifelines for older people who have no one else to turn to when times get tough. These include Age UK’s national free and confidential Advice Line and Friendship Service, which the Charity expects to be in high demand this Christmas. But Age UK can’t be there without everyone’s support, and donating to the Charity’s shops really can make a big difference.

Lisa, Shop Manager at the Age UK shop in The Grove Centre in Witham said; “Whether you want to declutter your home before your guests arrive, or free up room for more goodies, pre-Christmas is the best time to have a clear out. We accept everything from decorations that no longer match your colour scheme, to last year’s Christmas jumper. All we ask is that they are good quality so we can sell them on to be loved and used again. ❤

“As well as doing your bit for the environment by recycling and reducing landfill, you will be helping Age UK raise much-needed funds to support older people across the country, including those who may be alone or have no one to turn to this Christmas time. Age UK’s 2022 Challenge aims to turn every bag donated into bags more support for older people across the UK. Your donations can help ensure that Age UK can be there for every older person who needs us this Christmas and beyond.”

The Age UK shop in The Grove Centre Witham is also encouraging people to make their donations worth an extra 25% for the Charity by signing up to Gift Aid. Simply filling out a basic form when dropping off donations means Age UK will receive an extra 25p from the government for every £1 that is raised from donated goods and it won’t cost you a penny!

Age UK has over 250 shops across England and Wales, which are reliant on the generous donations of the local community to keep the shelves stocked and supported by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers. To find your nearest Age UK shop visit www.ageuk/shop

This Christmas Age UK is raising awareness of the fact that too many older people have nobody to talk to and nobody to ask for help. Age UK believes that no older person should live like this and so is asking everybody who can to donate to the Charity so that it can continue to be there for vulnerable and lonely older people. To donate visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/christmasappeal