The Gift Your Gear scheme gives a new life to used outdoor clothing and equipment
A scheme that collects unwanted outdoor gear for re-use by community groups is appealing for more donations.
Retailer Rohan is again offering a discount for people who buy full-price items from its stores on the day they donate goods.
Gift Your Gear is the brainchild of Sarah Howcroft, one of Rohan’s founders. She said the award-winning initiative provides donated outdoor clothing and equipment to community organisations, youth groups and charities working with young people in the outdoors.
It has donated items to 600 UK based charities and youth organisations working with young people in the outdoors. Having the right clothing and equipment helps to ensure that outdoor experiences are safe and enjoyable, she said.
“Young people need to get outdoors for their physical and emotional wellbeing,” the founder of Gift Your Gear said.
“The sun doesn’t always shine the gear you donate will help ensure their early experiences in the great outdoors are safe and enjoyable.
“If an outdoor jacket is worn for a couple of years then ends up forgotten in the back of a wardrobe its useful life is never achieved. Most outdoor gear will last much longer than most people want or need.
“If that jacket is donated through Gift Your Gear to a local community organisation, youth group or charity working in the outdoors, not only is the useful life of the jacket extended but also another person gets to experience the joy of good gear.”
During September members of the public can drop off unwanted outdoor gear, regardless of brand, at any of the 55 Rohan Shops. In return Rohan is offering 15 per cent off a full-priced purchase made the same day as a qualifying Gift Your Gear donation.
Gift Your Gear accepts all unwanted waterproofs, fleeces, outdoor trousers, insulated jackets, gloves, hats, boots and rucksacks.
Rohan’s managing director Roger Cann said: “Having the right gear is vital to the enjoyment of the outdoors.”
More details are available on the Gift Your Gear website.
