Consumer watchdogs with Wigan Council are urging residents to be cautious when considering donating clothes to a charity collection claiming to raise money to combat breast cancer.
The council’s Trading Standards team has received a number of calls from members of the public in the borough who have received leaflets through their doors from a group called Do Not Delay.
The leaflets ask householders to sort any unwanted clothes and shoes for a roadside collection in aid of a ‘breast cancer prevention programme’.
The flyers feature a rose petal border and a pink ribbon – a symbol used by breast cancer charities worldwide.
The leaflet says: “Project Do Not Delay! Was founded to educate women who pursue a healthy way of living and would allow their lives to be ruined by cancer.
Breast cancer effects (sic) every 9th women in Europe.”
Wigan Council’s Chief Trading Officer Julie Middlehurst says:
“These flyers are very similar to those used by many charity appeals but the word ‘charity’ does not appear on the leaflet and neither does a registered charity number.
“The small print goes on to say that the organisation donates a minimum of £1,000 to the project each month.”
The leaflets list the company behind the collections as Intersecond Ltd, who are appointed agents for the Do Not Delay organisation.
“Intersecond Ltd lists a London address and a fax and phone number on the flyer,” says Julie. “It is a legitimate company but this phone number is not theirs and they have stopped doing these collections, which leads us to believe this flyer is bogus and the proceeds would not go to breast cancer charities.”
The leaflet also urges the reader to visit the Do Not Delay website (www.donotdelay.org). However the official website carries the following message on its front page:
Attention
Clothing collection has been cancelled from 01/08/2007 in the United Kingdom, (Wales and Scotland) until further notice.
Any leaflet distribution or clothing collection during the period by individuals using Intersecond Ltd name are illegitimate and in no way associated with the company.”
The Charity Commission says it has also received complaints about the leaflet.
Julie says: “Any collection leaflet from a genuine charity should include a registered charity number. To be registered as a charity, organisations have to be established for solely charitable purposes.
“However our advice is clear, if there is any doubt at all then people should not donate. There are plenty of worthy charities within the borough, some even have their own shops and would gladly take any unwanted clothes you have. If you chose the charity you wish to support then you can gracefully turn anyone else down secure in the knowledge that you’re doing your bit to help something you believe in.”
Anyone with concerns about charity collections can call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 (calls charged at local rate).
