Acorns Children's Hospice, which provides care for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in the West Midlands, spends about £100,000 annually on processing and disposing of donated items that cannot be sold. This amount could otherwise be used to fund specialist care for seriously ill children and their families, with the charity's services costing over £40,000 a day to run.
The charity receives approximately 3,000 tonnes of donated goods through its 47 shops each year. However, about 1,000 tonnes, roughly a third, are sent for recycling or disposal because they are damaged, stained, incomplete, or unsuitable for resale due to safety regulations.
James Roberts, Acorns' business development manager, stated that the £100,000 in additional costs is diverted from supporting children and families. He urged donors to consider the condition of items before donating, asking, "Would you give it to a friend, neighbour or family member?"
This issue comes as children's hospices nationwide face increasing financial pressures. A report by Together for Short Lives found that demand for services is growing, with an 18% increase in average expenditure across the sector in a year, while statutory funding has not kept pace. The report also indicated that about 60% of children's hospices ended the last financial year in deficit.