Angus Council and the British Heart Foundation have joined forces to show how extending the life of unwanted goods can help raise funds to fight heart disease.
BHF now has a re-use cabin sited at the Arbroath Recycling Centre to collect household items and furniture for re-sale at their shops in Arbroath and Dundee.
And the idea of passing on pre-loved goods has proved extremely popular with local residents so far. In the last week, well over 2000 items have been donated including books, toys, ornaments, pictures and lights, along with several thousand pounds worth of furniture.
All items in good condition will become shop stock ready for sale to new owners.
Communities Vice-Convener, Cllr Tommy Stewart said: “Through this partnership we want to divert tonnes of furniture, books and bric-a-brac away from the waste stream and into charity re-use shops. Selling this vast array of items in British Heart Foundation Shops helps to provide low cost and perfectly good quality items to our communities, whether they might be people in need or those seeking a bargain. Any funds raised from Angus products will be spent by the BHF in Scotland.”
Communities Convener, Cllr Mark Salmond added: “At the same time the scheme raises much needed funds for the fight against heart disease. People in Angus are doing a tremendous job when it comes to recycling, both at home and at our recycling centres. We also want them to reduce the amount that they are wasting and throwing away and that’s where the BHF re-use cabin has a central part to play. We look forward to a long and sustainable partnership with BHF.”
Our recycling centres do accept waste electrical equipment and while the Council would encourage Angus residents to dispose of any electrical goods that are beyond use at the centres, the BHF cabin and other re-use outlets are ideal for any that are in good working order.
Similarly, furniture, toys, books, DVDs and games as well as many other household items can have a long-life beyond their first owners.
Conditions like heart diseases, stroke and vascular dementia are all linked by blood not flowing properly and over 700 million people in the UK are affected by heart disease and related conditions. That's why BHF research starts with your heart, but doesn't stop there. BHF’s research is unlocking the connections between heart and circulatory diseases and their risk factors.
BHF’s Head of Retail Partnerships, Karen O’Donoghue, said: “We are delighted to be working with Angus Council to support re-use within the Arbroath community and are truly grateful for every item donated which will help BHF towards our aim to beat heartbreak forever”.
British Heart Foundation is working towards Revolve accreditation and has a fleet of van drivers servicing their charity shops across the region.
British Heart Foundation’s Arbroath branch would be delighted to hear from volunteers. Anyone who is interested is supporting the charitable organisation should contact Theresa Kneller, Arbroath branch manager on 01241 879185.
Angus Council
Angus Council works to create strong secure communities, an enterprising workforce, and sustainable development over the range of public services for which it has responsibility. We are a customer and citizen focused organisation and work to deliver accessible, effective and efficient services for the county\'s population.
