Start the New Year with a clear out

Start the New Year with a clear out and brighten up 2015 for older people

Christmas is renowned for being a time for giving and most of us will have been lucky enough to have received gifts from loved ones. Many of us will also have experienced that awkward moment of receiving clothing that doesn't fit, something we already have or isn't to our taste. As many people return to work this week after the holidays, Age UK is urging people to have a clear out and donate any unwanted items to their local Age UK shop.

Whether it's to make room for your new gifts, get rid of the box of toiletries you don't want, or simply start 2015 as you mean to go on, Age UK accepts donations of new or second hand items. Instead of leaving unwanted things to gather dust at the back of the wardrobe, they will help to generate much-needed funds for the Charity's work with older people.

Age UK has over 430 shops across the country that stock women's, men's and children's fashion; home-wares; electrical items (in selected stores); books; games and accessories, all of which are then sold on to be loved again. Find out where your Local Age UK shop is. In addition, collections can also be arranged in some areas - simply contact the local shop to find out more. 

Hugh Forde, Managing Director for Retail at Age UK, said: 'The New Year is the perfect time to have a clear out, bringing organisation to your home and starting the year with a clean slate. We are urging people to get rid of their Christmas clutter and donate any items they no longer want or need to their local Age UK shop. You'll be helping us to raise money that supports the Charity's vital work in ensuring older people across the country can make the most of later life.'

Donations can be maximised by signing up to gift aid.  By simply completing a basic form when you donate goods means that Age UK will receive an extra 25p for every £1 that is raised from donations from the government. That extra money doesn't cost you a penny and helps us raise more valuable funds for people in later life.

The money raised by Age UK's shops will help the Charity to support their local Age UK partners to deliver hands-on local services such as lunch clubs and home safety checks, as well as hugely important national work like its free advice line (open 365 days a year) and vital campaigning work. Age UK works tirelessly to influence politicians and decision makers on issues that affect older people every day, such as pensions, care provision and fuel poverty.
 
Age UK is the leading charity for older people which aims to ensure older people make the most of later life. Find your local Age UK shop or for more information about Age UK please visit www.ageuk.org.uk.

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For more information on Age UK, please call Hannah Barker-Green in the Age UK Media Team on 020 3033 1427 or email hannah.barker-green@ageuk.org.uk

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Notes to Editors:

We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI and our local Age UK partners in England (together the Age UK Family). We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK believes that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances.  We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well-being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we").  Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).