Scottish children affected by drug misuse to benefit from surplus goods

A new campaign by In Kind Direct, and backed by Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland, will help Scottish voluntary sector organisations working with vulnerable children affected by drug misuse benefit from surplus goods and equipment.

Millions of valuable and useful products are destroyed each day because they’re samples, slight seconds, ends of line and slow moving stock or have faulty packaging and companies simply don’t have the time or the contacts to make better use of them.

These include toys and toiletries, household supplies and appliances, clothes and footwear, sportswear and sports equipment, linens and bedding, offices supplies and equipment. Just the kind of things charities need all the time.

Funding from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland, will enable Scottish voluntary organisations working with vulnerable children and young people affected by drug misuse get the goods they need for a fraction of the cost. The initiative is of particular value to small underfunded groups. To be eligible for the subsidised rate of £30 (plus VAT), charities must have an annual income under £500,000. They will then be able to select the goods and equipment they need for between 5% and 10% of the usual cost and will also receive £75 of vouchers, exchangeable for items worth around £750 from In Kind Direct’s monthly catalogue.

In Kind Direct’s chief executive Robin Boles said: "All companies, even the best run ones, produce surplus stock. Many more could save on storage and disposal costs, as well as meet their environmental targets, by giving surplus to In Kind Direct."

She added: "Although the goods we receive are surplus to companies, these items are mainly new and are all still useful and usable. They’re of great value to organisations on tight budgets."

Since operations began in 1997 £40 million worth of goods have been donated to
In Kind Direct, from which more than 3,200 charities have benefited, as has the environment. It’s estimated that equivalent to 38 Olympic size swimming pools-full of goods have been saved from landfill.

To take advantage of the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland subsidised registrations, which are available on a first-come basis, charities should contact Tasha Procter on 020 7860 5927