A HOSPICE has made an urgent appeal for people to donate old clothes and furniture and set up ‘drive through donation stations’ to make it easier for donors.

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care has been preparing to reopen its charity shops and needs money to help local people with life-limiting illness.

Area fundraiser, Vicki Gray, said: “At the beginning of lockdown we asked our wonderful supporters to take the opportunity to do a serious spring clean and reorganise at home and the feedback from people was fantastic.

“We are now able to safely accept their gifts and donations of good quality clothes and furniture.

“This new ‘drive through donation station’ initiative will enable us to make sure that our shops are well stocked for reopening and full of items to inspire and entice shoppers back and make sure everyone can bag a bargain at the same time.

 “We are delighted to have organised 'two drive through donations stations': one at Tower Park, main car park, opposite Pure Gym, which will be open between 10am and 2pm on July 13, 14 and 15. 

“The second will be at David Lloyd Club car park in Poole and will be open on July 16 and 17 from 10am until 2pm.

 “To prioritise safety, supporters and donors will be asked to fill their car boots with items they wish to donate in sealed bags.

“They will be asked to unload their donations themselves and leave them with us in a designated area. At this time, we are only able to accept donations of good quality clothes and furniture.

“This process means that all donations made will be contactless. Each donation will be quarantined for several days, to minimise the risk of virus transfer.”

Lucy and Sophie Maidman from Store and Secure, a family-run business near Castlepoint, Bournemouth, have offered the charity complimentary storage space to support this recycling initiative.

Vicki continued: “We would like to thank everyone in advance for supporting our donation appeal and look forward to all of our shops being open again very soon with some wonderful preloved treasures.

“This is such a positive and environmentally friendly way to help our charity hospice, which will enable us to support more local people with life-limiting illnesses in the community."