Warning on door-to-door collections of unwanted items

Shropshire Council’s trading standards team is today (Monday 9 May 2011) warning people to be on the lookout for organisations carrying out door-to-door collections which give the impression that they are connected to air ambulance charities.

Leaflets distributed around Shropshire have come from a number of organisations including Air Ambulance Service (Trading Co) Ltd and Air Ambulance Support Ltd.  More recently they have also been received from (E&N Textiles) Ltd.  Anyone receiving such a leaflet is urged to read it very carefully to be sure they are happy to leave their unwanted items for these organisations to collect.

These identified organisations are not charities, and it is understood that they have no connection with any of the regional air ambulances that people might associate them with, and as such no money raised will be passed to the local air ambulance.

Anyone wishing to donate clothing directly to the Midlands Air Ambulance should do so only to an authorised Midlands Air Ambulance collector who will be able to show donators a registered charity number and official logo.  Alternatively, they can be contacted directly on 0800 840 2040 or via www.midlandsairambulance.com in order to arrange for them to collect a donation.

David Edwards, head of trading standards said:

“Everyone needs to be on their guard for organisations looking to make money off the back of charitable organisations. Anyone receiving such leaflets offering to collect unwanted items for any particular use should look carefully to the small print to see whether there is any association with the charitable organisation, as this is often not the case.  If anyone receives a leaflet and would like further information then they can call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.”

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for trading standards, added:

“Recycling of unwanted items is a responsible way of reducing waste and looking after the environment, whilst also helping charitable organisations in these difficult times.

“However, there are many reports of leaflets being distributed to Shropshire residents which are not for charitable purposes. It is all too easy to scan these documents without really understanding who it is your donation will assist.  I would urge anyone to consider very carefully the leaflet they receive, and if they think it is misleading to let Consumer Direct and trading standards know.”

The trading standards team can be contacted on 0345 678 9000.