Charity shops threatened with superglue attacks for early Xmas card sales

Fundraising | Vibeka Mair | 2 Sep 2009

Charity shops run by Oxfam, Mind and PDSA have been threatened with superglue attacks on their premises if they put Christmas cards on sale before 1 November.

A group calling itself the 'Movement for the Containment of Xmas' has sent hand-delivered letters to three charity shops and a newsagent, located in the Leeds area, threatening to vandalise their premises if they carry on selling Christmas cards out of season.

The brief notes all say: “This is a very polite but very serious reminder not to display Xmas cards until 1st Nov. We will put superglue into your locks if you do. Peace and goodwill.”

The lock on Mind’s charity shop has already been glued up, costing it £100 in repairs. It has since temporarily withdrawn bargain Christmas cards leftover from last year.

Clive Barker, manager of the Oxfam shop in Leeds, said he was worried but would not remove his Christmas cards:

"It is very odd," he said. "Every morning I wonder if I am going to be able to open up or will the lock be glued up? We are not going to take our cards down as we are a charity and we raise money for all the Oxfam projects."

The police are currently investigating.

Directory: Mind | Oxfam | The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA)
Who's Who: Vibeka Mair

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Alison Thomson
Retail Advisor North
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
3 Sep 2009

Our dedicated supporters of the RNlI ask for Christmas cards and calendars from March onwards. Our charity is the charity which Saves Lives at Sea and relies on voluntary contributions.

All the RNLI Sales company's profits go directly back to the charity. The Sales Company's sole purpose is to raise money through lifesaving shopping.

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