BIU group, one of the UK’s leading clothing and textile recycling organisations, is pleased to announce it recently reached the £9 million milestone of funds raised for partner charities across the UK.
The organisation, which collects and recycles unwanted clothes, shoes and textiles with the aim of providing charities with an alternative income stream, was established in 2005.
Items donated are re-used or recycled to raise vital funds for a number of charities, including air ambulances, cancer treatment centres, children’s hospices and youth sporting associations.
“We work with regional charities up and down the country to help them collect discarded household items of clothing. For many it has become a major source of income generation,” said Carrie Carpenter, Charity Relationships Manager at BIU Group.
“Our work has helped to save or improve the lives of many people by providing funds towards the lifesaving and life-changing goals our charity partners have. These organisations all do amazing jobs and we are constantly in awe of the work they perform.”
There is no cost to BIU’s partners, all of which are registered charities, following best practice in accordance with UK guidelines and regulations. BIU provides all the equipment and services needed to operate its recycling schemes.
“Raising more than £100,000 through donations made to clothing banks across Hampshire over the last three years since our partnership began, has given us the financial stability to purchase new and replacement equipment well ahead of what we originally anticipated.”
“The support given to us by BIU through this partnership is invaluable and benefits not only the local community by supporting our work, but also reduces landfill and provides affordable clothing to developing countries. We look forward to continuing to build our partnership with them to achieve both our and their next fantastic milestone,” said Trevor Vidler, vice chair and public profile officer at Hampshire Search & Rescue .
Vidler’s sentiments are echoed by Bill Sivewright, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Chief Executive Officer: “Fundraising for charities takes many forms, but we believe that recycling adds another dimension of benefit for those people we support. The funds raised are certainly significant and a great source of regular income. However, the fact that we are also helping the planet in a wider context through effective recycling is a tremendous added benefit. Our relationship with BIU has strengthened over the years and we are absolutely delighted that they have achieved this incredible milestone.”
BIU currently has over 1,000 banks located at various points across the UK. For more information on the scheme, to arrange a collection of unwanted clothing, to enquire about siting a bank on your premises, or to find your nearest bank location, visit the BIU Group website.
