University of Cambridge students and Cambridge City Council show bags of support

Oner hundred per cent of the profits will go into the fight against heart disease and fund the BHF’s life-saving research.

BHF shops partnered with the University of Cambridge and Cambridge City Council  to encourage students to have a clear out and donate the clothes, shoes, books, DVDs, bags and small electricals they no longer needed at the end of the academic year, enabling the charity to recycle goods that might otherwise be wasted.  Throughout the scheme, Cambridge students and residents were incredibly supportive and made full use of the donation drop-off points.

The successful partnership has seen 3043 bags of donations dropped off at the BHF collection bins located around Cambridge, which could have raised around £61,000 for BHF shops. The money raised from this partnership will go on to fund BHF researchers who are relentlessly working towards the fight for every heartbeat.

Julie Paffett, BHF Regional Stock Generator, said: “We’ve been delighted with the response from the University of Cambridge and Cambridge City Council and their overwhelming support. Each BHF shop needs to receive 400 bags of unwanted items a week and thanks to generous donations from the students, staff and residents in Cambridge we have been able to help our shops in the city.

“If any other Universities or businesses would like to work with BHF shops and provide collection facilities, it’s really easy to set this up, just get in touch by visiting bhf.org.uk. Coronary heart disease is one of the UK’s biggest killers, shattering the lives of too many children, parents and grandparents - you can join the fight for every heartbeat by having a clear out and using the new facilities to donate your unwanted things.”

Catrin Darsley, Environmental Coordinator at the University, commented: “Working with BHF shops, we’ve been able to provide a really convenient service for students to donate the items they no longer need to this great cause rather than throw them out.”

Cllr Peter Roberts, Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services, Cambridge City Council, added: “We are delighted that this collaboration has proven to be such a success and hope students will continue using the service and raising vital funds to continue the BHF’s life-saving work, while reducing waste and recycling.”

To create your own stock collection campaign or locate your nearest clothing bank please contact Julie Paffett on [email protected]. To locate your nearest BHF Shop visit bhf.org.uk/shops or call 0844 412 5000.

* It is estimated that each bag of donated clothes raises on average £20


The British Heart Foundation

·         Last year BHF Shops raised over £31 million to help the BHF fight heart disease the nation’s single biggest killer

·         BHF shops sell 90,000 items every day and have over 20,000 volunteers

·         The BHF now has over 700 Shops. Our aim is for everyone in the UK to have a local British Heart Foundation Shop

·         The charity now has over 170 Furniture and Electrical Stores across England, Scotland and Wales

·         For more information on British Heart Foundation Shops or to find your local shop please visit bhf.org.uk/shops

·         For over 50 years the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has pioneered research that’s transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions. The BHF’s work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are changing the fight against heart disease. But so many people still need help, from babies born with life-threatening heart problems to the many mums, dads and grandparents who survive a heart attack and endure the daily battles of heart failure. Join the fight for every heartbeat in the UK. Every pound raised, minute of your time and donation to BHF shops will help make a difference to people’s lives.


*******


For further information contact Samantha Bandak at the British Heart Foundation on 020 7554 0105 or email [email protected]
___________________________________________________________