More in store with charity donations

Barnardo’s in Carrick is hoping to raise awareness of the importance of signing up to Gift Aid when people donate clothes, household goods etc to the charity’s shops on High Street and Victoria Road Shopping Centre.

It’s estimated that Gift Aid in the town could be worth more than £20,000 over the next year if everyone making a clothing or goods donation to the shop signed up to the scheme.

Retail Gift Aid is a government tax scheme which sees 25p donated back from revenues for every £1 spent in a Barnardo’s charity shop at no cost to the donor. All you need is to be a UK tax payer and fill out a gift aid declaration form with no requirement for any personal information like salary or tax brackets.

The campaign is being backed by Breakfast TV presenter Helen Fospero who said: “It’s fantastic that Barnardo’s could have an additional £20,000 to spend on children’s services just by claiming tax back on donated goods sold by the Carrick shops.

Helen has posted a short video at www.barnardos.org.uk explaining how easy Gift Aid is.

Laura Carson, Barnardo’s head of retail for the Carrick area, said: “I think once people know how simple it is to sign up to Gift Aid and what an important difference it could make to children’s lives without costing an extra penny people will be keen to join.”

“I’m delighted that Helen has signed up to our appeal and hope that she will encourage many more people to take 60 seconds to join her and help Barnardo’s claim the full possible tax income. It will make an amazing difference.”