Kent Trading Standards has received a report of a business dropping off plastic bags apparently for a Lithuanian charity which refers to supporting causes against breast cancer.

People in the county are being asked to fill the bags with their unwanted goods and the bags to be left out for collection.

These bags are currently being dropped off in the East Folkestone area.

Although some of these businesses may send a very small amount of the money they raise to the ‘named’ charity the majority of the money is kept as profit

If you want to make sure that your goods go to a worthwhile charity of your choice, find the charity number given on a bag, then contact the Charity Commission to check if a business is registered as a genuine charity.

Be aware though that just because a business is registered not all the money raised may go to the charity.

To contact the Charity Commission telephone 0845 300 0218 or visit their website at http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©