Barnardos launches unwanted Christmas present campaign

Barnardo’s has launched a campaign urging people to donate unwanted Christmas presents to the charity’s nearest shop.

The ‘gift amnesty’ involves the children’s charity promoting its online ‘find your local shop’ tool for those looking to donate clothes that don’t fit, or multiple copies of the same DVD or book, which may have been bought as presents.

Barnardo’s runs more than 710 charity shops across the UK as well as an online retail website.

“It can be difficult to buy the perfect present for a family member or friend,” said Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan.

“So, if you unwrap something that doesn’t quite fit or just isn’t right for you, do something special and donate the gift to your nearest Barnardo’s shop. This will help raise vital funds so we can continue to support hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable children across the UK.”

Barnardo’s says that an £18 cookbook could pay for three young carers to enjoy an afternoon of respite from their caring duties, while a £20 DVD boxset could help pay for an outreach worker for a vulnerable child.