Don't bin it - bank it!

18 January 2012

A woman puts a bag of clothes into a yellow clothes bank outside a fire station

Fire and Rescue Service staff across Cambridgeshire are collecting unwanted clothing as part of a recycling competition launched by The Fire Fighters Charity - the UK's leading provider of services that enhance quality of life for serving and retired fire service personnel and their families.

A competition is now underway for fire stations across the UK to collect the most clothing throughout January, and the winning station will receive a New Year's Hamper for their whole team to enjoy.

The scheme, set up by The Fire Fighters Charity, is to encourage people to recycle their unwanted garments at their local fire station while raising money for the charity. People can take along their second-hand clothes, fabrics, and shoes to their nearest fire station and all proceeds from the recycled garments will go to the charity.

Local recycling partners collect the textile donations and sell them on, with The Fire Fighters Charity receiving a generous donation of £200 per tonne for all clothing recycled on fire stations.

Kevin Biles, Recycling Manager at The Fire Fighters Charity, said: "We're looking for support from the fire and rescue community and local households for any unwanted clothing during January - including that dreadful Christmas jumper you'll never wear! The fire station that collects the most clothing in kilograms will be the winner.

"The charity receives a generous donation for all clothing recycled in our textile banks, which provides funds to continue supporting serving and retired fire service personnel and their dependents in times of need."

The following fire stations in Cambridgeshire have been provided with recycling banks to collect clothing, fabrics, and shoes:

  • Burwell
  • Cambourne
  • Chatteris
  • Cottenham
  • Dogsthorpe
  • Gamlingay
  • Huntingdon
  • Kimbolton
  • Linton
  • Manea
  • March
  • Papworth
  • Ramsey
  • Sawston
  • Sawtry
  • St Ives
  • St Neots
  • Swaffham Bullbeck
  • Whittlesey
  • Wisbech

You can find out the addresses of these stations on our Fire Stations page.

For further information on the recycling banks or the competition, please contact Kevin Biles on 01256 366566 or email kbiles@firefighterscharity.org.uk