BT Ireland survey reveals the nation’s love of de-cluttering, yet wardrobes remain full of under-used or never worn clothes. Irish Rugby captain Rory Best helps kick off BT Shop for Change in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, on Thursday 13th October.
According to a survey commissioned by BT Ireland to launch BT Shop for Change, 49% of people surveyed in Ireland wear just half of the clothes in their wardrobe on a regular basis, while 25% have six or more items in their wardrobe that they have never worn. However, the survey revealed that the nation still loves the catharsis of a good clear-out with 60% de-cluttering at least twice a year. Charity shops are benefiting with 80% donating their unwanted items to charity.
On Thursday 13th October, over 110 BT employees will take over 9 Irish Cancer Society charity shops in Dublin, Galway and Cork as part of BT Shop for Change, filling the shops with high-quality stock and raising crucial funds for cancer research and care. These shops include: Camden Street, Capel Street, Dun Laoghaire, Kimmage, Rathmines, Swords, Tallaght, Merchant’s Road, Galway & Princess St., Cork (note: the Cork shop event takes place on Thursday 27th October).
Mary Hopkins, Director of Sales, BT Ireland said: “We are proud to launch BT Shop for Change for the fifth year, and to give our employees and their local communities the opportunity to help deliver real change for local people suffering from cancer.”
To support the campaign, the public are invited to donate clothes, accessories, books, homeware and bric-a-brac to a participating Irish Cancer Society store, and to drop back on October 13th to pick up a range of specially donated items, exclusive to BT Shop for Change. The money raised will help the Society fund innovative cancer research projects and provide support for patients and their families. Just €60 provides one-to-one consultations for three people affected by cancer on the Society’s Freephone Cancer Nurseline, 1800 200 700, while €350 covers the cost of one night of Night Nursing for a seriously ill cancer patient, allowing them to be cared for in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by loved ones.
Rory Best, Ireland rugby captain and BT Shop for Change ambassador said: "Unfortunately, many of us know loved ones that have been touched by cancer. We’ve all got clothes that sit unworn year after year or unwanted items lying about the house that others could enjoy. BT Shop for Change is the perfect excuse to gather everything up and donate it to Irish Cancer Society who can sell it to raise vital funds for the work that they do."
Paul Hughes, Irish Cancer Society Shops Manager added, “Money raised through our charity shops is crucial to helping us fund vital cancer research and provide free support and information to patients and their families. The teams from BT do a fantastic job of collecting quality stock , so I’m encouraging members of the public to drop into one of our participating stores and ‘Shop for Change’.”
For more information on the campaign and participating stores, visit www.btireland.com/ShopforChange or follow #BTShopforChange on Twitter.
