Shoppers in Accrington and Blackburn can now use a first-of-its-kind gift card in charity shops which makes it easier for people to support charities and shop sustainably.

The Charity Shop Gift Card has been launched at a time when second-hand shopping is rapidly growing in popularity as shoppers become more environmentally aware.

The gift card market is worth £7 billion a year so charities now have the opportunity to drive up their fundraising income while driving landfill down.

Derian House Hospice help to raise the £6 million per year to provide respite and end-of-life care to more than 400 children and young people across the North West, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Andrew Upton-Ford, head of retail and online sales at Chorley-based Derian House, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to finally be joining the scheme.

"The gift card makes a perfect present and encourages shoppers to visit our charity shops and discover something unique and special.

“It will cost us £6m to run services at Derian House in 2023 and we rely on our shops and the generosity of our supporters for 70p in every £1.

"We have ambitious plans to open more shops across the North West and so having a truly sustainable gift card that can be spent at all of our shops is a great thing for our customers.”

The gift card is suitable for avid second-hand shoppers and also enables them to encourage their family, friends and colleagues to thrift.

The Charity Shop Gift Card, developed with the Charity Retail Association, is now available to buy and spend in charity shops including Derian House Hospice.

It’s the only nationally accepted gift card solely for charity shops and the most sustainable shopping gift card available, which is now available in most areas of the UK.

In Lancashire it is available to buy and spend at:

•            Derian House shops in Accrington, Chorley, Blackburn, Preston and Horwich

•            The Children's Society shops in Chorley and Preston

•            Shelter shop in Preston

The gift cards are recyclable and compostable and are available from participating charities and at supermarkets and other major high street retailers. They can be purchased as e-vouchers from www.thecharityshopgiftcard.co.uk.

Lee Fellows, co-founder of The Charity Shop Gift Card, said: “Every purchase of this first-of-its-kind sustainable shopping gift card is a donation to charity and an opportunity for established charity shoppers to give the gift of thrift and encourage their family and friends to join the second-hand revolution."