A call for people to donate unwanted furniture has been issued in County Durham.
The County Durham Reuse Forum, a partnership between five local charities and Durham County Council, is urging people to pass on unwanted items which could be used by other people.
The forum is hoping that people getting new furniture and household items delivered in time for Christmas will consider giving their old items to charity.
As well as providing low cost furniture to local people, the forum also provides training and volunteering opportunities and helps to reduce waste – with more than 140 tonnes of furniture reused so far this year.
Anyone with furniture they are looking to donate can contact one of the five charities which make up the forum.
Contact details are:
Consett YMCA. Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm. Tel: 01207 588 302.
County Durham Furniture Help Scheme, Chilton. Monday to Friday, 9am – 4pm; Saturday, 9am – 1pm. Tel: 01388 721 509.
East Durham Partnership, Horden. Monday to Friday, 9am – 4.30pm (Wednesday late opening until 6pm); Saturday 9am until midday. Tel: 0191 586 8493.
Haswell Mencap Furniture Enterprise. Monday to Friday, 9am – 3pm. Tel: 0191 516 0957.
Woodhouse Close Church Furniture Project. Tuesday and Thursday, 9am – 2pm. Tel: 01388 602 935. (collection within an eight-mile radius of Bishop Auckland)
All of the charities collect unwanted household items, such as beds, furniture and electrical items, free of charge if they are reusable and in good condition.
Upholstered items, such as sofas, chairs and beds, should be clean, without tears and must have the current UK fire safety standard labels attached.
All electrical items should be working, be free from rust, reasonably clean and have intact seals.
Items will need to be checked before collection is agreed and if there is any reason why an item cannot be accepted this will be explained.
For further information on which household items can be donated and purchased via one of the charities, please visit www.durham.gov.uk/reuse
