Donating to St Mary’s Hospice
A guide on what you can and can’t donate
Thank you so much for considering a donation to St Mary’s Hospice. Every item you give helps us provide vital care and support in our community. Here’s a quick guide to help you donate in a way that truly makes a difference.
What to Donate
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who takes the time to go through their wardrobe or home to support us. When donating, please keep in mind:
- We’re looking for good quality, usable items with some life left in them.
- While we don’t expect designer labels, items should be clean, complete, and in a saleable condition.
- Unfortunately, if we receive items that cannot be sold, we have to dispose of them responsibly — which costs the Hospice money.
How to Donate
- Donating a large number of items? Please call your chosen shop in advance to check if they have enough space — some locations have limited storage.
- Donating large or bulky items?
Contact our Furniture Warehouse to arrange a free collection. They can be contacted on 01229 824830 - Please don’t leave donations outside our shops after hours. These can be hazardous and may get damaged or stolen.
Items We Are Unable Accept
Due to legal, safety, or practical reasons, there are some items we sadly cannot accept. Accepting these items would result in disposal costs for the Hospice. Please take a moment to review the list below before donating.
• Upholstered furniture without a valid fire label
• Flat-pack/chipboard furniture with white veneer
• Damaged furniture or items with missing parts
• Duvets and pillows
• Stained Items
• Electric blankets, showers, sunbeds, tanning equipment
• Waste disposal units, power tools without instructions
• White goods (unless via our Furniture Warehouse, in excellent condition)
• Cathode tube televisions
• Must have CE mark
• Any gas appliances (mains or bottled)
• Ovens with glass doors, oil-filled or mobile heaters
• Storage heaters that are hardwired
• Any gas appliances (mains or bottled)
• Ovens with glass doors, oil-filled or mobile heaters
• Storage heaters that are hardwired
• Bicycles (only accepted via Furniture Warehouse)
• Helmets, buoyancy aids, inflatable dinghies, skateboards, scooters
• Firefighting or safety equipment
• Home-recorded DVDs, CDs, tapes, or software
• VCR videos or DVDs without official age ratings
• Vinyl Records
• Knives, swords, crossbows, guns (including replicas)
• Gardening tools (accepted at our warehouse) or any other sharp implements
• Used personal care items (e.g. shavers, foot spas) unless unused in sealed packaging
• Used pillows and duvets
• Medicines, vitamins, perishable food or drink
• Prescription glasses, toiletries, cleaning agents or solvents
• Petrol/diesel garden tools, candles without instructions
• Ivory, fur
Donate to St Mary’s Hospice Today
Donate to St Mary’s today and help us continue our vital work. Your support funds essential services, community outreach, and preservation efforts. Every contribution makes a difference.
