LANCASHIRE charity leaders are warning the public that a telephone fund-raising scheme involving the sale of first aid kits is a scam.

The Red Cross has revealed that it has no link with Netherlands-based Royal Consulting, which is sending out first aid kits to people in the UK with an invoice for £23.70, stating that one-third of the net profits will go to the Red Cross, or other 'humanitarian organisations'.

The other charities issuing the alert are: Marie Curie Cancer Care, Oxfam, Barnados, Macmillan Cancer Relief, Imperial Cancer Research Foundation, Comic Relief and Mencap.

David Bollenberg, community fund-raiser for Lancashire Red Cross, said: "Let me state this categorically - we haven't asked this company to sell the kits or anything else for us!

"If anyone is offered a kit, please think twice before handing any money over."

Julia Unwin, from the Charity Commission, added: "We recommend that people who want to donate should do so directly to the charities concerned."

Under the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971 and '75, anyone receiving goods, along with an invoice, has a right to use, deal or dispose of them as if they were a gift - unless the sender collects them within six months.

It's an offence for the sender to demand payment and the recipient can shorten the collection time by writing to the sender stating that the goods must be collected within 30 days.

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