The British Red Cross has launched a new initiative through their charity shops to support the survivors of Haiti’s earthquake. People can bring in clothes, books, and other items to their local Red Cross shop and dedicate their donated goods to raise cash for the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

TV’s Gok Wan is lending his support to the British Red Cross shop campaign.

Gok Wan says: “I’ve done some amazing transformations in my time, but nothing on this scale. Here’s an opportunity to turn your clothes into blankets, buckets or even life-saving medical supplies.

“This is a great way to donate if you’re strapped for cash, or just looking for another way to help the survivors of Haiti’s earthquake. Just tell your local British Red Cross shop that you want your clothes, books or DVD to help Haiti, and they’ll sell your stuff to raise money for the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal.”

Gok has also been tweeting to urge his fans to turn their cast offs into cash: https://twitter.com/therealgokwan

This is the first time ever the Red Cross has appealed for stock for its 316 stores for an emergency appeal.  Such is the public’s overwhelming desire to help, the Red Cross is offering another way to make a difference to the thousands who have been affected by the devastating earthquake.  Up until Saturday 13 February British Red Cross shops will be accepting donations of good quality clothing, books, household items and unwanted gifts to sell for the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

People can drop off their donated goods at their local Red Cross shop, say they want them to be sold for Haiti and they will be specially labeled for shoppers to see. The Red Cross is part of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which brings together 13 leading UK aid agencies at times of major crisis.

British Red Cross Director of Fundraising, Mark Astarita, said:

“We are responding to customers and donors’ desire to do that bit more for Haiti.  Cash is best but for many it may not be an option.  We can’t send donated goods to Haiti but this is a way of turning an unwanted Christmas gift into cash that will go directly to help the thousands of people affected by the earthquake in Haiti.  We have not done something like this in retail in recent memory and it has been made possible by our high tech tills that can track and bank to the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal.”

The stock appeal for Haiti will run until Saturday 13th February. Other donated goods will continue to be accepted and sold in Red Cross shops with the money going as usual to help vulnerable people in crisis in the UK and overseas. Any such stock that is unsaleable or remains unsold after the campaign ends will be recycled or sold to help raise funds for Red Cross work, wherever and whenever we are needed.