Revive shops donate to charity

At the beginning of 2018, a charity scheme was launched as part of the four Revive re-use shops operating within community recycling centres across Surrey. The shops reclaim unwanted but usable items taken to the centres and sell them to members of the public.

They are a great place to find your next upcycling project or quirky home decoration, selling everything from antique furniture, books and DVDs, to garden tools, bicycles and televisions. The shops help to reduce waste and raise revenue to support the service.

Run on a quarterly basis, the charity scheme allows Reuse shop customers to nominate their favourite charity. The charity with the most votes at each shop gets a share of the profits. In the first half of 2018, seven charities have benefitted from donations totalling almost £8,600. As the shops grow, so will the amount of money donated.

The charity scheme will be extended to include the Revive re-use shop at Ivydene Cottage in Charlton Lane, once it is opened. Local charities will be able to encourage their supporters to visit the shop and nominate them, in the hopes of receiving a windfall payment.

Charities that have benefitted so far this year include Age UK Surrey, The Children's Trust, Woking and Sam Beare Hospice, Wildlife Aid, The Hunter Centre, Your Sanctuary and Surrey Wildlife Trust.

In addition, Macmillan Cancer Support benefitted from a charity day at the shops, where all revenue from the shops was donated to the charity on one special day. This resulted in Macmillan gaining £1,400 thanks to Surrey shoppers, SUEZ and Surrey County Council. Macmillan is the charity partner of SUEZ Recycling and Recovery in the UK.

The four Revive shops are based at the Redhill, Leatherhead, Witley and Woking community recycling centres.