Bag it Bring it and help raise vital funds for Dougie Mac

Bag it Bring it encourages companies to host a donation point in their offices for staff to donate items they no longer want. The items are then sold in Dougie Mac’s local charity shops, with every bag donated raising an average of £40 to support local adults, young adults and children facing life-limiting illnesses. Since April last year, 3,392 bags have been collected with a monetary value of £135,680.

One business taking part in the scheme is the Lymedale branch of Asda which, since April last year, has collected a whopping 584 bags.

A spokesman for Asda said:

“We’ve been taking part in Dougie Mac’s Bag it Bring it campaign since 2020 and it has become a regular and valued part of our community efforts each year.

“We signed up because it’s a simple yet meaningful way to support Dougie Mac’s vital work in our community. The campaign allows our colleagues to directly contribute to a cause that makes a real difference to local families and we were keen to be involved in something that has such a positive impact.

“It’s extremely easy to take part. We have a pallet set up in our canteen where colleagues can drop off any unwanted clothes, shoes, or household items at their convenience. The process is straightforward, requires very little time and anyone in the business can get involved.

“We would encourage other companies to take part because it’s one of the simplest ways to make a big difference. It brings colleagues together, supports a fantastic local charity and requires very little effort to set up. Any organisation — regardless of size — can get involved and help make a meaningful contribution to the community.”

By taking part in Bag it Bring it, companies are helping local families like Jordan Sambrook’s whose Nan, Christine, was cared for by Dougie Mac.

Jordan said:

“When the decision was made to withdraw the chemotherapy treatment Nan had been receiving, she was admitted to Dougie Mac. As Nan had been a volunteer for the charity, it was her wish to go into the hospice where she spent two weeks being cared for before she died.

“The care my Nan received was amazing and the support we as a family got was fabulous. Dougie Mac staff became like a little family to us – not only did the nurses take care of my Nan’s every need but they also checked in with us. As a family we could take a step back and let Dougie Mac care for my Nan, meaning we
could focus on just being with her.”

Head of Retail, Liz Clarke, said:

“We now have 21 shops across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. From clothing and toys to books and homeware, donated goods help us to raise more than £6 million each year to sustain the hospice’s specialist care services.

“We simply couldn’t do it without the help of local businesses, the support of hundreds of volunteers, thousands of generous donations and our loyal customers. And that’s why we are encouraging local businesses to take part in our Bag it Bring it campaign as their donations really do make a huge difference to us.”

Dougie Mac charity shops provide a sustainable and ethical option for people wishing to recycle their unwanted items. Last year Dougie Mac scanned and recycled 10,854 books and 20,638,472 CO2 emissions were saved by selling 1,842,209 donated items.