Vintage, Vinyl and Vacuums

BT’s Shop for Change Survey Unveils the Hidden Gems and Bargains in NI Charity Shops

October 9, 2017 –

80% of people in Northern Ireland are still choosing to donate unwanted items to charity shops, rather than sell online, and nearly 60% of charity supporters donate at least twice a year.That’s according to a social media survey commissioned by BT to launch its all-island BT Shop for Change annual fundraiser on Thursday 19 October in support of Marie Curie and the Irish Cancer Society

The findings show that nearly a third of people, who donate clothes, furniture and other items, see it as a way of supporting a cause close to their heart. The survey also highlights some of the more unusual, purse-friendly items purchased in charity shops including:

• A dress which has been worn to four weddings. Original price: £125. Cost: £5
• A vintage tweed blazer which is still being worn 30 years later.Cost: £1
• A designer lamp.Original price: £180. Cost: £9
• A Dyson vacuum cleaner.Cost: £40
• A collector’s set of 10 vinyl records.Cost: £10
• A wing back chair.Cost: £10
• A Polaroid OneStep camera in full working order.Cost: £20

With half (50%) of those surveyed revealing that they love to bag a bargain in charity shops, Thursday 19^th October should be a key date in the shopping calendar because more than 250 BT employees across the island of Ireland will be setting up shop and putting their newly-donated items up for sale.

The BT volunteers will be taking over 27 Marie Curie and Irish Cancer Society charity shops for one day only.They will be competing amongst themselves to collect as much new stock as possible and raise as much money as they can to provide care and support for people living with cancer and terminal illness.

Over the last six years, the BT volunteering initiative has raised more than £400,000 for the two charities. Staff participation has increased by 50% and this year the teams of volunteers will be taking over all bar two of Marie Curie’s 18 charity shops in Northern Ireland.

Paul Murnaghan, Regional Director of BT Business in Northern Ireland, said: “At BT, we’re working hard to have a positive impact on local communities across Northern Ireland. We’re delighted to be working with Marie Curie again and we’re thrilled to see such a sizeable increase in the number of BT volunteers who have come on board and are rallying behind the initiative this year.

"Marie Curie provides vital care and support to people and families affected by terminal illness right across Northern Ireland.By donating their time, talents and treasures, our BT volunteers will be helping to ensure that more people receive the end of life care they need.I would encourage everyone to come along and show your support on Thursday 19 October.”

Clayre Sloan, Area Retail Manager, Marie Curie said: “We’re looking forward to a fantastic day and know that all the BT volunteers will be pulling out all the stops to boost our stores and make this year’s challenge the best yet.

“By supporting the BT fundraiser in store on the day, or donating your pre-loved items, you’re helping fund vital nursing care when families need it most.”

For every £20 raised by the BT volunteers in Northern Ireland, Marie Curie can provide one hour of nursing care to local people in need. Money raised will help Marie Curie provide hands on care at its Belfast hospice, day hospice outpatient services, and nursing and volunteer ‘Helper’ services which support people in their own home.

The social media survey of charity shop users in Northern Ireland and the Republic was promoted by Marie Curie and the Irish Cancer Society – BT’s Shop for Change charity partners.

For further information about BT Shop for Change and for a list of participating Marie Curie shops in Northern Ireland, please log on to https://www.btireland.com/newsroom/bt-shop-change/index.html and follow all the activity on Twitter @btinireland #BTShopforChange.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

• *Research was commissioned by BT in Northern Ireland, and conducted via a Survey Monkey questionnaire from Tuesday 26^th September – Wednesday 4^th October with 101 respondents from Northern Ireland.
• BT Shop for Change will take place on Thursday 19 October 2017
• The Marie Curie shops participating in the challenge are:
  1. Antrim
  2. Botanic Avenue
  3. Ballymena
  4. Ballyhackamore
  5. Banbridge
  6. Belmont Road
  7. Cregagh Road
  8. Downpatrick
  9. Cookstown
  10. Dunmurry
  11. Lisburn Road
  12. Holywood
  13. Newtownards
  14. Newry
  15. Stramillis
  16. Lisburn

About BT:

BT’s purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world. It is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in 180 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed-mobile products and services. BT consists of six customer-facing lines of business: Consumer, EE, Business and Public Sector, Global Services, Wholesale and Ventures, and Openreach.

For the year ended 31 March 2017, BT Group’s reported revenue was £24,062m with reported profit before taxation of £2,354m.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

For more information, visit www.btplc.com

• Marie Curie – care and support through terminal illness

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The charity helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert hands-on care, emotional support, research and guidance.

Marie Curie employs more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, and with its nine hospices around the UK, including Belfast, is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS.

www.mariecurie.org.uk www.facebook.com/MarieCurieNorthernIreland
www.twitter.com/mariecurieNI

Call the Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309 for free confidential support and practical information on all aspects of terminal illness.