A Charities Aid Foundation survey has revealed the “weirdest and wackiest items” donated to British charity shops in 2017, including a live hand grenade, a stuffed adult bison and “edible nipple tassels”.
CAF said it conducted its survey ahead of this year’s #givingtuesday, which is set to take place on 28 November. Charities which contributed to the survey included the RSPB, Marie Curie and the British Heart Foundation.
Of the charities which participated, the survey found that a Barnardo’s store had been donated “a stuffed adult bison”, and a branch of Mind had received “the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, along with edible nipple tassels and a whip”.
A Dog’s Trust shop also received “a Christmas dinner” because “a supporter didn’t want their sponsored dog missing out at Christmas, so sent the dinner in a jiffy bag”. An RSPB reserve was also inundated with “hundreds of pairs of women’s tights” after the warden requested “30 pairs to help stop a weed from invading the reserve’s ponds” in a local paper.
Alarmingly the survey revealed that a Sense charity shop in south east London had to be “evacuated” after “a live hand grenade” was donated. The device was made safe by emergency services.
More helpfully, a Tenovus Cancer Care branch in Southampton had a Mercedes-Benz C180 Elegance donated, while the British Heart Foundation made over £1,100 from the donation of “an antique purse carved in the shape of a samurai” pictured above.
Ben Russell, director of communication at CAF, said: “Charity shops are the ultimate destination for those hoping to source an unusual Christmas gift. From stuffed mammals to your next ride, there really is no limit to what you might find whilst rooting for a bargain.
“Last year, more than 4.5 million people across the UK took part in #givingtuesday, and we hope that 2017 will be our biggest year yet. One way you can get involved is to donate some money to charity, and what better way than a visit to the local charity shop.”
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