Recycle your broken jewellery for charity

Marie Curie Cancer Care, in partnership with Laura Ashley, is calling on the public to donate unwanted and broken jewellery in a national recycling scheme. Donations of any unwanted or damaged gold, silver or costume jewellery and watches are needed. Items such as odd earrings, snapped chains, and broken watches will be recycled, with Marie Curie Cancer Care benefiting from a share of the proceeds.

The scheme will run from May to the end of July 2008. Donations can be made in all Laura Ashley stores, and also in Marie Curie Cancer Care Shops. To find your nearest Laura Ashley shop, visit lauraashley.com.

To find your nearest Marie Curie Cancer Care Shop, go to mariecurie.org.uk.

The scheme has been launched as part of the charity’s 60th anniversary year fundraising programme. Marie Curie Cancer Care was founded in 1948 on the donation of a diamond engagement ring. It raised £75 at auction, equivalent today to around £5,762.

Since then, Marie Curie Cancer Care has become one of the UK’s largest charities. Employing more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, it expects to care for around 27,000 terminally ill patients in the community and in its 10 hospices this year. The charity is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS and is also a leading authority and driving force in end of life care. Marie Curie Cancer Care raises over £115 million a year.

Dawn Dyne, Marie Curie Cancer Care Nurse of the Year, said: “Marie Curie Nurses provide free, end of life care allowing people to die at home surrounded by family and friends. Your donation will provide more Marie Curie Nurses, so that more people can have the choice to die at home.”

To find out more visit Mariecurie.org.uk.