Quirkiest Charity Shop Donations Revealed

Mind’s Chiswick shop calls for unwanted items this Giving Tuesday

(l-r) Paul Farmer Mind CEO of with Natalie Hayes and Andrew Vale, MD Mind Retail  

Mind, the mental health charity reveals the most peculiar donations their shops have received as its Chiswick shop appeals for residents to donate pre-loved items on Giving Tuesday, 28 November.

Giving Tuesday was set-up as in response to the rise of Black Friday and other pre-Christmas sales. The annual day #givingtuesday encourages people to consider supporting charities instead, either by fundraising or donating items to charity shops.

Each year, Mind shops see an increase in custom over Christmas, however, this is not always matched by increased donations, leaving some stores with empty shelves. Mind’s Chiswick shop is in need of good quality clothes, shoes (in pairs) books and accessories to raise money for Mind which exists to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn for advice and support.

Among the more unusual items donated to Mind shops are:

• A stuffed tarantula in a cage, anonymously donated to a Mind Shop
• A live hand grenade donated to the Mind shop in Ipswich. The bomb squad were called to remove the grenade and part of the town had to be closed off.
• A first edition trilogy of Lord of the Rings donated to a Mind Shop, which sold for over £3,000
• A voodoo kit containing real human hair
• A giant marble crocodile
• A 50 Shades of Grey trilogy with accompanying whip and edible nipple tassels
• A cat, donated to the Mind shop, which went on to find a good home
• A pair of very realistic children’s dolls that refused to stop crying or wriggling for hours on end despite the shop staff’s best efforts in the Mind Shop in Humberstone

One in four local residents in Chiswick will experience a mental health problem this year – and countless more will be affected through friends, family, work colleagues and other people in their lives. Unwanted items such as Jumpers, Coats, CDs and Vintage Dresses will raise vital cash, with each bag donated worth an average of £30.

Natalie at Chiswick said: “While we’re very grateful to everyone who donates to our shop, there are some items that are more welcome than others. Some of the more unusual items we receive, such as airplane freebies-socks, toothpaste are impossible or inappropriate to put on sale. Although the saying goes ‘It’s the thought that counts’ we have a much better chance of benefitting from donations when they are in good condition or high quality items. If you have a more unusual item and are unsure whether it would be appropriate, do feel free to pop in and ask, as we’re very happy to advise.

“Proceeds from all donations will fund the charity’s work such as the Mind Infoline, information and advice services, and the campaigning Mind does to secure a better deal for the one in four people who experience a mental health problem every year.”

Mind’s shops have been on the high street for over 50 years, and rely on over 1,800 volunteers across the country.

Mind shops are also looking for volunteers to help with jobs like sorting, steaming, pricing and making sales.

For more information on donating to or volunteering at Chiswick contact chiswickshop@mind.org.uk or 020 3489 8130

November 27, 2017