Residentswarnedon charitybag rogues

A WARNING has gone out to residents to prevent rogue traders stealing bags of unwanted clothes which would otherwise have gone to charity.

Collectors working on behalf of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance have reported a rise in incidents of rogue traders carrying out doorstep collections.

Now Selby’s residents are being urged to check when they bag up their clothes for re-use and recycling that the donations do not end up in the wrong hands.

The chairman of Selby District Council’s Environment Board, Coun Chris Metcalfe, urged anyone with any concerns to check for a registered charity number on the charity bag or leaflet.

He said: “We’re encouraging people to give to charities in this way, but also to be careful that the money raised is going to a good cause and not into the pockets of criminals.

“Please don’t be taken in, and make sure the charity is licensed. Read the small print and make sure the name of the charity is specified and if so that it’s one that you know about. If in doubt, use the recycling banks dotted around the district.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s recycling partner is Bag It Up Ltd, which operates a number of large yellow clothing and shoe banks across the district.

A charity spokesman said: “These rogue traders are causing a drop in collection tonnages and also upsetting people in the community who believe they are donating to the Air Ambulance but they are not”.

Fundraising director Paul Gowland said: “Yorkshire Air Ambulance does not operate a doorstep collection service. We encourage supporters to donate their unwanted clothing and shoes in their nearest Air Ambulance recycling bank.”

Anyone being targeted by a bogus charity should call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.