KIND-hearted Redditch residents have helped the local branch of B&Q raise thousands of pounds for homeless charity Shelter.
The nationwide DIY chain is in partnership with the charity with the aim of improving the lives of thousands of people through practical DIY and home improvement help, and funding of frontline services.
However thanks to local people B&Q Redditch has been able to go above and beyond the original brief.
“We decided just before Christmas to ask our customers to bring in items suitable to be given to the homeless, wrapped in Christmas paper, and placed under our Christmas tree,” said local store community champion Andy Willetts.
“The response was fantastic and we took the presents to our Shelter store for distribution and they were completely overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Redditch.”
When the B&Q team visited Shelter they saw charity collection bags and decided they could help by having them on or at the checkouts, and act as a drop off point for customers.
“We started this on January 1 and didn’t foresee the response we’d get,” said Andy.
“In just four months, we collected 1,000 bags of good quality items.”
The items in each bag were selling on average for £7 which means that to date Redditch B&Q has raised £7,000 for the charity.
“We cannot thank the people of Redditch enough,” said Andy.
“Because of the success of the collections, we are now being able to send our items to stores all around the region, helping more homeless people.
“We are continuing with our in-store collections, so if you have any items, pick up some charity bags, then when filled, bring them back to us, and we will arrange for Shelter to collect them. And on behalf of Shelter and B&Q Redditch, thank you.”
