A CHARITY is hoping that supporters will carry the “out with the old, in with the new” spirit into January to help a £5million fundraising campaign.

Ark Cancer Centre Charity is urging people to make a resolution to recycle unwanted clothes and shoes in one of the charity’s many branded recycling banks which are dotted in and around the Basingstoke area.

It’s been 16 months since Ark became a charity partner with Bag It Up Ltd (BIU) – one of the UK’s leading clothing and textile recycling companies.

Ark benefits from a percentage of the proceeds when residents, businesses and community groups recycle their unwanted clothing, shoes and household linens at Ark-branded BIU recycling locations in Hampshire – and so far nearly £40,000 has been raised for the charity.

One of the most popular Ark recycling banks is located at Morrisons in Basingstoke – and Wendy Yarney, charity partnerships manger at BIU, recently presented Ali Perris, the community champion at the store, with a special Milestone Scheme certificate to mark the number of bags that have been recycled there.

Wendy said: “Since January, more than 3,200 bags of clothing have been donated to the bank we placed there – that’s nearly 10 bags a day.

“We love the generous spirit of the Basingstoke community and would like to thank both them and the lovely Morrisons team.

"The money raised thanks to your generosity will definitely help the Ark Cancer Centre Charity get closer to achieving its goals.”

Mark Jones, director of fundraising and communications at Ark Cancer Centre Charity, said: “We are grateful to everyone who has recycled items in the charity’s branded banks, and also to the many organisations which are hosting banks bearing our branding – it is a great show of support on both counts.

“The partnership with BIU is delivering a real boost to the ongoing campaign to raise awareness of the charity.”

To find nearest Ark-branded BIU recycling bank, go to biugroup.co.uk/banklocator.