Two charity shops in a Buckinghamshire village have spoken to the Free Press about the importance of using second-hand stores, whilst encouraging members of the public to NOT leave donations outside their premises.

The British Red Cross and Rennie Grove are just two of the five stores in Chalfont St Peter that take in unwanted items to raise funds for good causes.

The other three are Shaw Trust, Helen & Douglas House, and the South Bucks Hospice, with the latter opening last week [February 9].

Bucks Free Press: The Rennie Grove branch in Chalfont St Peter is frequently used by members of the public The Rennie Grove branch in Chalfont St Peter is frequently used by members of the public (Image: NA)

Every shop boasts an array of goods ranging from brand new to decades old, but Aaron Halliday, who is the standing manager for the Rennie Grove branch, told the Free Press any donations that are left overnight in wet weather ‘get binned’.

He said: “One day you can get nothing and the next day you can get loads of stuff come through.

“We don’t know what we can get.

Bucks Free Press: The South Bucks Hospice branch opened on February 9 The South Bucks Hospice branch opened on February 9 (Image: NQ)

“We sometimes get stuff items in and we’re thinking, ‘Wow, this could be worth a lot’.

“So, we put those items on our online shops on eBay, Vinted, Depop etc, as it’ll benefit the charity.

“We’re also lucky as we don’t get donations left for us out the front.

“However, when it does happen and it’s been a clear night, we’ll go through everything and use it but if it’s been raining, it’ll go in the bin which is a shame.

Bucks Free Press: The British Red Cross branch in Chalfont St PeterThe British Red Cross branch in Chalfont St Peter (Image: NA)

“We have a cage and once that’s full, then we’ll stop but we have a good quantity of stuff that the cage is never full, so we always continue to put stuff out.

“So please use charity shops as they’re so important.

“It stops everything going to landfill and all the money goes to a good cause.

A volunteer at the British Red Cross branch in the town has also encouraged members of the public to not leave donations on their doorstep because while the gesture is of goodwill, the act is legally classed as fly-tipping.

Bucks Free Press: The Shaw Trust branch is based along St Peter's CloseThe Shaw Trust branch is based along St Peter's Close (Image: NA)

They said: “If we ever do get too many donations all in one go, we put a sign up on the door saying we’re sorry but grateful as we can’t take them.

“But that sign should only be up for a few hours while we work hard to go through all the items out the back.

“We’re lucky to do that.

Bucks Free Press: Another one of Chalfont St Peter's charity shopsAnother one of Chalfont St Peter's charity shops (Image: NA)

“We also ask members of the public to not leave them outside, as it can attract vermin, it could be a trip hazard and it can be labelled as fly-tipping.

“We’re very grateful for all the donations that we get.

“We always encourage people to donate as it saves all the items go to landfill.”

Here is a list of all the charity shops in Chalfont St Peter:

  • Helen & Douglas House – St Peter’s Court
  • South Bucks Hospice – St Peter’s Court
  • Shaw Trust – St Peter’s Court
  • Rennie Grove – Market Place
  • British Red Cross – Market Place