Charity bags without numbers not part of a scam, say Cobalt
WHEN you receive an unidentified charity donation bag through your letterbox, it can be an indication you are being targeted by fraudsters.
But medical screening charity Cobalt in Cheltenham sent out dozens of blue collection bags to homes in the town this month without its registered charity number by mistake.
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FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN: Cobalt volunteer Anne Hall and Sam Watson, head of fundraising
The Thirlstaine Road charity said they had been swift to rectify the error and urged residents not to worry.
The bags without the number are understood to have been dropped off at homes in Benhall and Rowanfield.
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Samantha Watson, head of fundraising for the charity, said the vast majority of blue bags sent out as part of the recently launched campaign had been properly marked and gave assurances the rogue ones were a bona fide part of Cobalt's campaign.
She said: "We're aware that a small number of bags went out in the Benhall and Rowanfield areas without Cobalt's registered charity number.
"This was a printing error that has been put right.
"All the bags and collections are legitimate and the bag collectors carry identification. Local people's donations will benefit Cobalt's charitable work.
"I am aware that lots of people worry if they feel they are being targeted by fake donation bags, but I can assure people this is certainly not the case here."
The charity, which provides vital medical imaging for patients with cancer, launched the blue bag campaign earlier this month, calling on people to donate their secondhand clothes.
It means residents can give to charity without leaving their own homes.
On each bag is a date when bags will be collected and a phone number people can call for more information. Cash raised from the sale of the secondhand clothes will go to the charity, which can make £70 for every ton sold.
Samantha said so far the campaign had got off to a flying start.
"Some of the collections have been very generous," she said.
"We are hoping to continue it throughout the year, carrying out regular collections.
"Every bag will help support our work with local people affected by cancer and other life-limiting conditions."
For more information, go to www.cobalthealth.co.uk.
Comments
by dearyme
Saturday, February 02 2013, 7:23PM
“While I'm sure this charity feel that putting collection bags through people's letterboxes is a good idea, I wish the people who deliver these bags would take note of notices on people's doors that say 'No charity bags please'. I think these bags are a blight and I get several a week which I put straight in the bin [as it's pointless leaving the unused bag outside for collection as they are ignored]. I figure if the delivery person can't be bothered to abide by my sign then I can't be bothered to give to that charity.
What does it take to stop this and flyers and other junk mail being put through my letterbox?? I'm considering putting this junk in the postbox so that it's delivered back to the sender and they are charged.”