Russell Howard gives toast to Barnardo's
Comedian Russell Howard has donated his giant toast costume to Barnardo’s to highlight the need for donations to the charity’s shops across the UK.
Russell Howard is not alone in his unusual ‘donation’ to Barnardo’s. Alongside his toast costume, previous wacky gifts received by Barnardo’s shops have included a complete, full sized suit of Armour, a bishop’s mitre, a real-life adult stuffed Bison and a 10-man canoe.
While a suit of armour isn’t at everyone’s disposal to donate, Barnardo’s guarantees they can find a customer for all unwanted gifts that are donated to our retail stores. It is estimated that over £2.4 billion* worth of unwanted presents were given last Christmas, with a third of these ending up gathering dust in the back of a cupboard or loft.
Barnardo’s director of retail and trading, Gerard Cousins says,“We’ve all received festive gifts that aren’t quite to our taste and many of us also like to use the holiday period to have a clear out. By donating unwanted gifts, and other items to your local Barnardo’s store, you can recycle the item and allow someone else to enjoy them whilst raising funds for good cause.“Barnardo’s stores are dependent upon the public’s kind donations and our profits go directly into our work with some of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.”
Barnardo’s has 500 stores nationwide, where shoppers can buy collectibles, household goods, books, toys, children’s clothes, books, accessories as well as men’s and ladies’ fashions.
Barnardo’s have put together a list of their top five most wanted gifts, Clothing: ladies, men’s and children’s. Fashion items, coats and winter woolliesthat just ‘aren’t’ you and kids clothes that don’t fit will all be snapped up by shoppers looking for post-Christmas bargains
Accessories: Jewellery, decorative scarves and hats, bags, shoes, ties and even Christmas socks all sell really well as the cold winter months set in after the New Year. Gift sets and toiletries: These have proved very popular in the past few years, with customers shopping in advance for Mother’s Day
Home ware: Classic unwanted gifts; household goods, bedding and collectables are always in demand with customers and toys: These remain highly popular throughout the year, particularly hard toys which are super durable.