Age UK shops launch spring stock appeal

Nation's men reluctant to reorganise their wardrobes

Age UK Retail launches its Spring stock appeal to raise vital funds for older people

With National Spring Cleaning Week (16th - 23rd March) nearly upon us and winter hopefully nearly at an end, many of us will be getting ready to tackle a range of chores in readiness for the better weather. However, whilst 60% of women will be meticulously removing or separating clothes in their wardrobes [i] , research from Age UK Retail reveals that almost one third of men say they don't want to change their clothes with the seasons [ii].

So with Spring just around the corner Age UK Retail is now calling on the public to join in with a nationwide stock appeal. The Big Bag Challenge encourages everyone to have a clear out and donate any unwanted items to their local Age UK shop to help the leading charity combat loneliness amongst older people.

Age UK recently revealed that one in four (2.9million) people aged 65 and over feel they have no one to go to for help and support. The Big Bag Challenge calls upon people across the country to donate as many bags of quality goods, including clothing, shoes, books, accessories and homewares, as possible to their local Age UK shop.

The goal is to get 100,000 bags in just two weeks, helping the Charity raise much-needed funds to support vital national and local services which often provide the only contact some older people have.

Hugh Forde, Managing Director for Retail at Age UK, said: 'It seems that the nation as a whole could benefit from a good sort out at home and that I'm not the only man who finds every possible excuse for not getting down to it!

'But we all feel much better after a thorough Spring Clean, which is why we are asking everyone to clear out their clutter and join The Big Bag Challenge, donating any items they no longer want or need to their local Age UK shop. Instead of gathering dust or taking up valuable space at home, items will be sold on to be loved again, helping generate much-needed funds for the Charity's work with older people.'

The money raised from The Big Bag Challenge will help Age UK continue to support the millions of older people who are facing later life alone, enabling the Charity to provide companionships, support and advice, as well as its free national 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.

With over 430 shops across the country, Age UK accepts donations of a variety of items, including clothing; shoes and accessories; as well as homewares and electrical items (in certain stores); books and games*. Go to www.ageuk.org.uk/bigbagchallenge to find your local store and get more information.

- Ends -

For more information on Age UK Retail, please contact Hannah Barker-Green in the Age UK Media team on 0203 033 1427
or email Hannah.barker-green@ageuk.org.uk

Notes to Editors:
* Donations can be maximised by signing up to gift aid. Simply completing a basic form when you donate good means that Age UK will receive an extra 25p for every £1 raised form donations from the Government. The extra money doesn't cost a penny and will help raise vital funds for people in later life.

Age UK
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). 

[i] TNS Big Bag Challenge OnLineBus Survey (October 2014) Figures based on women who said that they separate items within their wardrobe and those that remove items to store in a suitcase or in the attic