What do 20 Preston buses, three Ribble Steam Railway trains, and 6,500 Guild Hall seats have in common? They match the total weight of items reused by homelessness charity Emmaus Preston over the past six months.

An impressive 48,699 kg of donated furniture and household goods have been diverted from landfill and the waste chain – a 29% increase compared to the same period last year. The items have been resold at Emmaus Preston’s charity shops on Fishergate and Lowthian Street, or collected through its free bulky item pick up service.

All proceeds raised from the sale of these items, helps to sustain Emmaus Preston’s community home and the support given to 26 people who have experienced homelessness.

Stephen Buchanan, Chief Executive of Emmaus Preston, said: “It is thanks to the generosity of Preston’s residents and people living in the surrounding areas, that Emmaus Preston is able to continue its work supporting people build back from homelessness.

“Your donations don’t just give furniture a second life – they help Emmaus Preston give people a second chance at moving onto a more fulfilled life.”

Shoppers and donors can further boost their impact by completing a Gift Aid form in-store or during van collections. If you’re a UK taxpayer, the government’s Gift Aid scheme allows Emmaus Preston to claim an additional 25p for every £1 raised through the sale of donated items – at no extra cost to you.

Emmaus Preston is always in need of quality items. You can drop off smaller donations at the charity shops, or book a free collection for larger items in good, saleable condition via the online form on the Emmaus Preston website. Your donations make a difference.

To find out more about donating goods to Emmaus Preston, visit our Donate Goods page here.