Islanders are being encouraged to shop second-hand and donate unwanted items throughout September as Wessex Cancer Support launches a month-long sustainability campaign at its Freshwater charity shop.
Sustainable September will run from tomorrow (Tuesday) until 30th September, with the charity highlighting how buying preloved goods can reduce waste while raising money to support people affected by cancer.
The campaign is taking place across Wessex Cancer Support’s network of shops in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, including its Freshwater store.
It aims to raise awareness of the environmental and social impact of second-hand shopping, encourage donations of good-quality items and demonstrate how money raised through charity shops helps fund free cancer support services.
Wessex Cancer Support says it takes approximately 20,000 litres of water to produce a single T-shirt and a pair of jeans – a statistic the charity is using to highlight the environmental impact associated with producing new clothing.
Ian Creep, CEO at Wessex Cancer Support, has said:
“Every item in our shops has already lived one life.
“When someone buys it from us, they’re not just getting a great deal, they’re giving that item a second life and helping fund vital services for local people living with cancer. That’s a powerful thing.”
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Between Monday 7th September and Sunday 20th September, the charity will run a ‘Donate Well’ phase encouraging people to make sure donated items are clean, complete and in good condition.
Items that cannot be sold can result in disposal costs, reducing the amount of money available to the charity.
Customers and donors will also be encouraged to sign up for Gift Aid, allowing Wessex Cancer Support to claim an additional 25% from the Government on income generated from eligible donated items, at no extra cost to the donor.
The month will include a donation drive during the opening week, followed by the Donate Well campaign and a Community Impact Week later in September.
During the final phase, shops will use displays and in-store stories to demonstrate how purchases support people living with cancer. A complete outfit assembled entirely from donated items for under £20 will also feature.
Founded in 1981, Wessex Cancer Support provides free counselling, complementary therapies and peer support to people affected by cancer across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. Its 6 charity shops include the Freshwater store on the Isle of Wight, alongside shops in Westbourne, Chandler’s Ford, Hythe, Portchester and Weeke.
