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Brits hoard clothes while shop donations fall
Gok Wan
Gok has donated a pair of Jean Paul Gautier jeans he wore on Comic Relief The Apprentice.

PDSA launches Vet Your Clothes campaign to boost stock

Over 50 per cent of people in Britain are hoarding clothes they don't wear, while stock donations to PDSA charity shops has fallen by 13 per cent, according to new research.

An online survey commissioned by the veterinary charity found 56 per cent of people over the age of 16 are holding on to items that could be worth millions to charity, despite the fact they don't fit, don't suit them or were a fashion fad.

The poll also found more than 25 per cent of people to take part were throwing their unwanted clothes in the bin rather than donating them.

Meanwhile, donations to PDSA's shops has fallen by more than 10 per cent in the past four years.

"This is leaving us short of the goods to sell in our shops, which means less money to fund our Pet Hospitals,” said Philip Klette, the charity's head of retail.

"Many charities have noticed a decline in donated stock levels over the past few years but people might not realise that, just by clearing out a few unworn items, you could make a massive difference to PDSA."

In a bid to try to boost its stock donations, the charity is launching a Vet Your Clothes campaign, which has already won support from celebrities including fashion guru Gok Wan and comedian Russell Kane.

Gok has donated a pair of Jean Paul Gautier jeans he wore on Comic Relief The Apprentice. He said: "If you haven’t worn something in the past year, the likelihood is that you never will, so please do something amazing and support PDSA.

"As a dog owner myself, I know just how much pets mean to people so please do what you can to help PDSA treat sick and injured pets."

PDSA is encouraging people to donate unwanted items to their nearest shop or Pet Hut store, and show their support on social media using #vetyourclothes.

Image courtesy of PDSA

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.