A charity has warned that bogus clothes collectors are targeting donations intended for a children's hospital.
Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSHCC) is asking people to be vigilant about charity clothing collections following reports of unauthorised collectors and missing bags in the Clayton-le-Woods area.
GOSHCC's sole collection agent is Clothes Aid. Donations in these bags are sold and the charity receives a substantial sum from the proceeds.
Other collections, however, are made by commercial agencies which sell the clothes for their own profit.
They donate a comparatively small percentage to charity, or sometimes nothing at all.
One agency called PSS, has been collecting without a permit, and has held collection days simultaneously with Clothes Aid.
The latest example came when PSS distributed leaflets, shown above, in Clayton-le-Woods and Clayton Brook last Wednesday, January 4, for a collection on the same day as Clothes Aid.
Clothes Aid are now working with police to investigate after collectors reported an unusually low number of bags on this occasion. A spokesperson for Clothes Aid, said: "We lose a substantial amount of money each year as a result of bag theft, and we will prosecute in any case where we believe an offence has been committed, offences which reduce the amount of money we have to support the hospital's work with sick children.
"Our bags are very distinctive, white with blue and orange markings. They clearly carry Clothes Aid and GOSHCC logos, as do our collection vans, and Clothes Aid staff will always be in uniform and carry identification."
Julia Stanger-France, head of commercial marketing for GOSHCC, said: "We value our partnership with Clothes Aid and would like to thank all those who have made donations through them. The money they raise is invaluable in supporting the work of Great Ormond Street Hospital.
"Unauthorised collectors and theft of clothes bags are a real problem for us and we are determined to stamp it out in 2006."
Anyone with anything suspicious to report can contact Clothes Aid on 020 7226 4607.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article