Radio Station Finds Jewels In The Crown

We are all used to hearing of paper, phone and ink cartridge recycling schemes – but what about jewellery recycling? BBC Radio Merseyside has raised over £1,500 to-date for Wirral Society for the Blind by putting out an air appeal for donations of jewellery.

With the sharp rise in the price of gold in recent years, a new recycling scheme has proved a hit with schools charities and parents associations looking for easy ways to top up their funds.

Brian Bond, the Managing Director of the Fundraising Company, based in Birmingham which advises charities and schools told us, “We were conscious that schools and charities were looking for new schemes to raise money - which had the minimum of hassle attached.

“When Radio Merseyside put out an air appeal, I don’t think they or we realised just how popular it was going to be. Literally hundreds of people turned up to donate unwanted items.

“As an organisation, we have always aimed to develop fundraising techniques that involve no cost or risk to charities, little effort and reliable results. Jewellery recycling fits the bill- judging by the huge number of testimonials that we have received already from schools and charities.

“We provide returnable freepost envelopes for the organisers to distribute and they simply publicise the scheme and wait for the response. It is amazing just how much jewellery people do have sitting in dressing table drawers at home, that never see the light of day – even in less affluent areas. This scheme gives them a good excuse for a clear-out.

“The scheme overall has raised thousands of pounds with a minimum of effort for those involved.

“There are no real restrictions on what can be donated. Even damaged, broken or incomplete items will be accepted – so all the odd earrings and broken chains are a great start. They don’t have to be gold or silver - and any watches are also acceptable.

“All of the donated items will be checked by an expert and valued before they are sold. This is to avoid a situation in which someone accidentally gives away something of high value.”

So, if you have any old tiaras that you are not using, contact Brian Bond at The Fundraising Company via their web site at Thefundraising.co.uk.