British Red Cross launches ‘Shop Drop for Nepal’

The Red Cross is appealing to people to clear out their wardrobes and cupboards and donate their unwanted clothes and goods to their local Red Cross shop. Funds raised from the sale of the items will aid the organisation’s life-saving work in Nepal. The Red Cross appeal has now topped £3million but much more is needed.

People wishing to help can drop off their goods at their nearest Red Cross shop*, and explain they would like them to be sold for the Nepal Earthquake Appeal. Their donations will then be specially labelled for shoppers to buy in store.

The 7.9 scale earthquake shook Nepal on Saturday 25 April, leaving over 5,000 people dead and affecting more than eight million people. This has been the worst earthquake to hit Nepal in 81 years, with tremors felt as far as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Tibet. Many buildings have been damaged, homes destroyed and people are still trapped in the rubble.

British Red Cross Director of Fundraising, Mark Astarita, said: “We know that many people desperately want to help but perhaps some don’t have the money to give, which is why we have launched ‘Shop Drop for Nepal’. By simply donating a bag of unwanted clothes to your local Red Cross shop you can make a real difference to all those affected by this earthquake. There is now an enormous humanitarian operation underway to provide survivors with basic shelter, sanitation and food. We are very moved and humbled by the remarkable response of the British public and although £3 million is a staggering amount, the task ahead is mammoth.”

‘Shop Drop for Nepal’ will run in all 330 Red Cross shops across the UK.

The Red Cross would like to thank the Disaster Relief Alliance. This network which includes founding corporate member Tesco, has helped the Red Cross to respond immediately when the disaster struck. The Red Cross is also very grateful for significant donations to its Nepal Earthquake Appeal from the Underwood Trust, The Freemasons’ Grand Charity, the Vitol Foundation and Vitol employees, HSBC, Barclays, Standard Chartered and Deloitte.

*Cambridge shops are located at: 26 Burleigh Street - CB1 1DG    t: 01223 301426
and (furniture and electrical)    46-47 Burleigh Street - CB1 1DJ     t: 01223 359255


For more information visit http://www.redcross.org.uk/nepalearthquake.  



Other donated goods will continue to be accepted and sold in Red Cross shops with the money going as usual to help vulnerable people in crisis in the UK and overseas. Any stock left unsold after the campaign ends will be recycled or sold to help raise funds for Red Cross work, wherever and whenever it is needed.