SADLY, my mother-in-law recently passed away and my wife and I have been sorting through her possessions whilst having to clear her property.

Obviously, there are personal items which are being kept but we had hoped to donate many items to local charities.

We are doing this bearing in mind that many families these days are supposed to be in difficult times financially.

We have taken clothes to a local charity and hopefully ornaments and pictures etc will be accepted at a later date.

Our big problem is trying to donate furniture which amazes me given the present situation in which we are told of many being in poverty.

A charity has taken a few items of furniture and electrical items but would not accept what I consider reasonable furniture because it was slightly faded or marked.

Another charity informed me that massive amounts of furniture are now being given away so it seems I will have to send the remainder to be dumped which saddens me.

What happened to recycling?

GEOFF BUDDEN, Glenmeadows Drive, Kinson