Success of Heart of Kent Hospice’s Buy Nothing New Month
Demand for second hand clothes soars at Heart of Kent Hospice after they appealed for more people to buy clothes in the month of January for ‘Buy Nothing New month.’
The Heart of Kent Hospice have reported that their shops have seen an unprecedented demand for warm winter clothing during December and January, breaking all previous records of demand at this time of year.
The campaign, ‘Buy Nothing New month,’ was originally launched by ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ to help to look after the environment after a month of splurging on new items over the festive period.
The constant pressure to buy new items we don’t need or gifts for others at Christmas can cause many people to feel regretful, overwhelmed and out of pocket. The effects of this are detrimental to the environment and whilst recycling unwanted items, the campaign recognises that we need to do more to do more and buy less.
Keeping Britain Tidy tweeted: “While recycling is a good thing to do, it’s not enough to save our planet. So why not try #BuyNothingNewMonth to embrace and celebrate reducing.”
The cold temperatures and increasing cost of heating households has left many people needing extra supplies to keep warm over the winter. The campaign has come at the perfect time for those struggling during the cost-of-living crisis.
Due to the higher volume of customers wanting to purchase second hand winter clothing, the charity is appealing for more people to donate their unwanted winter items to the store.
Mark Mickelburgh, Head of Retail at Heart of Kent Hospice said: “We have never seen such strong demand for our winter clothing. We are seeing more people shopping with us than ever before, but this means we now urgently need more donations to keep up with demand.:
The Heart of Kent Hospice has 14 shops across Kent and can be found at Aylesford, Coxheath, Lenham, Parkwood, Snodland, Tunbridge Wells, Borough Green, Headcorn, Larkfield, Senacre, Staplehurst, Tonbridge, West Malling and The Mall in Maidstone.
Mr Michelburugh added: “We would like to thank all our customers for their continued support and for their shop donations, as all the money raised goes towards the Hospice providing outstanding care and support.”
With Buy Nothing New Month a big success for The Heart of Kent Hospice charity shops, let’s hope more people will continue to buy second hand as we come closer to the summer months.
If you have any items you would like to donate, contact your local charity shop. You can contact The Heart of Kent Hospice at fundraising@hokh.co.uk or phone ahead to your local store before arriving with the items. You can also shop items on the Hospice’s eBay site.
