7 February 2007
DOORSTEP CHARITY COLLECTIONS – MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE, SAYS HANSON
A guide to help householders deal with doorstep charity collectors has been published.
The Department for Social Development (DSD) has joined forces with the Charity Commission in England & Wales and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) to produce ‘Doorstep Collection – Making an Informed Choice’. The booklet aims to give householders key pointers to help them sort charity collections from commercial ones.
While legitimate charities can collect cash or goods door-to-door, not all such collections are undertaken by charities.
Social Development Minister, David Hanson, explained: “Doorstep collections can be a very convenient way to donate – be it through recycling clothes or giving money. But people have a right to be confident that their generosity is directed appropriately. This guide will help householders distinguish between collectors to ensure their donations are used in the way they want.”
OSCR’s Chief Executive, Jane Ryder, said:
‘The public is asked to donate cash or goods on the doorstep in a whole range of ways – from answering the door to someone with a collecting tin, receiving envelopes for cash or having plastic bags posted through the letterbox, asking for donated goods for later collection.
‘Whether to give is a matter of personal choice, but it’s important to know that not all these organisations are charities. While some are collecting for a charity, some may be businesses who sell the items you donate. We hope this joined-up guidance from the UK’s three charity regulators will give UK households the information they need to give confidently, ‘ she added.
Rosie Chapman, the Charity Commission’s Director of Policy and Effectiveness, said:
‘With the current pandemic of “charity” clothes and donated goods collections sweeping the UK, it's more important than ever that people are armed with the pointers they need to decide whether they want a charity to benefit from their generosity. We hope this joined-up guidance will, for the first time, provide UK householders everywhere with the information they need to make these choices.’
‘Doorstep Collection – Making an Informed Choice’ is available from the following websites: Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/doorstep_collections.doc
OSCR: http://www.oscr.org.uk
Charity Commission: http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Department for Social Development (DSD) is responsible for charity regulation in Northern Ireland. It is currently progressing legislation to establish a Charities Commission and Charities Register in Northern Ireland.
- Media enquiries to Kathryn Campbell, DSD Information Office, tel: 028 9082 9078.
- For more information on The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator visit www.oscr.org.uk or call 01382 220 446.
- For more information on the Charity Commission visit www.charitycommission.gov.uk or call Charity Commission Direct on 0845 3000 21
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