Nightingale House Hospice is launching a campaign to get as many of their supporters as it can to spring clean their homes and consider saving their unwanted items to donate to the charity’s retail outlets.

Following two successful Donate Don’t Dump days in Chirk in recent months and April being the traditional time for people to have a good sort out of their clutter, the importance of raising vital funds for people with life-limiting illnesses across North East Wales and the borders has never been more important.

The hospice is hoping that in the long-term they can benefit from supporters unwanted items and is asking them to share their best de-cluttering moments on the charity’s community page on FaceBook or on Twitter/Instagram using the hashtag #donatedontdump.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic escalated and we were all told to Stay Safe and Stay Home* the charity sector has been hit hard. All Nightingale shops have closed under Government guidance.

Nightingale House Hospice has seen all of its events and community fundraising initiatives cancelled or postponed for the foreseeable future, meaning alternative fundraising activities need to be found.

Whilst many of us are at home during this Easter holiday, the charity’s head of fundraising Laura Parry is hoping the hospice’s loyal supporters will do their bit to help by saving their unwanted items to donate in the future.

She said: “We are having to find alternative ways of raising vital funds at the moment for those with life-limiting illnesses, as we expect a shortfall in income of around £3,600 every day during the pandemic.

“This is the time of year when many of us naturally want to spring clean our homes and we hope that as we enter this unusual period many of you may feel the need to sort out those closets and cupboards you have been putting off – until now.

“Whilst we are unable to accept the items at present we would ask that following your declutter you keep the items ready to pass to us once the current restrictions are lifted and we re-open our shops for business.”

The Hospice has already held two very successful Donate Don’t Dump days in Chirk resulting in 220 black bags of quality items that still have a useful life being given to Nightingale House Hospice for re-sale.