Foreign currency coins to make a change for charity

The Post Office is urging people to donate their leftover foreign coins to Barnardo’s children’s charity, as it reveals that more than £510 million in unwanted foreign cash is lying around in UK homes – an average of £11.07 per adult.

Special Barnardo’s collection boxes are available on the counters of more than 750 UK Post Office branches – offering holidaymakers and customers the chance to drop in any unwanted foreign coins for a good cause.

More than a quarter (27.5 per cent) of people said they hang on to foreign currency when returning from a trip abroad, while 26 per cent do change their notes back into sterling.

Helen Warburton, Post Office head of travel services, said: “We’ve all come home from holiday and put any left-over coins in a drawer and forgotten about them. But we’re inviting people to think about what better use they can put that cash to.

“By bringing all the unwanted currency together, people can make a huge difference to the lives of some of the UK’s most vulnerable children. And it’s not restricted to coins - customers can also donate unwanted foreign notes and even sterling if they so wish.

Barnardo’s’ vision is that the lives of all children and young people should be free from poverty, abuse and discrimination. Previous foreign coin collections at the Post Office have raised more than £1.1million and with so much currency lying idle in peoples’ homes, the hope is that this year will be the greatest coin collection fundraiser yet.

Liz Cox, Barnardo’s Director of Fundraising (ops) said: “This is an ideal opportunity to clear out that loose change that is cluttering up people’s drawers. We’re asking people to please take their foreign coins down to the local Post Office and make a real difference to the lives of children who really need our help. Barnardo’s works with 100,000 children and their families throughout the UK, who are affected by today’s most urgent issues, such as poverty, disability and abuse.”

Customers can buy currency over the counter at over 8,000 Post Office branches nationwide. The full range of currencies is available on demand at 1600 branches, euros and US dollars are available on demand at more than 2,500 branches and 3,800 branches sell euros over the counter. Customers can pre-order currency for next day collection at any Post Office branch in the UK.

Holidaymakers coming home with leftover foreign notes can change them back into pounds sterling easily using the commission-free buy-back service at all Post Office branches.

To find your nearest Post Office bureau de change, visit postoffice.co.uk