Charity Donation Query

[nailit]

Rang a local charity today as I had some furniture to donate. Gave my address...which happens to be in a multi story block of flats...and was told that they will only collect from the ground floor. I explained that it wasn't heavy furniture (tv stand, couple of large bookcases and a few other bits and bobs) and that there were 2 lifts anyway. (was asked if they were both working) They eventually agreed that it should be ok to collect.
Just wondering, is this one of those 'elf 'n' safety' things that they wont carry things down stairs? Or is it unique to this particular charity that they cant be *rsed to collect things if theres a bit of work involved.
Thanks

[237SJ]

That's normal for most charities due to the risks of carrying things down the stairs.

[nailit]

//That's normal for most charities due to the risks of carrying things down the stairs//
So if I had a really expensive piece of queen Anne furniture in my bedroom (for example) they wouldn't want it due to a few stairs?

[237SJ]

It depends what you mean by a few. If I was a volunteer (as a lot of these charity workers are) I wouldn't risk hurting myself through carrying someone else's furniture down the stairs.

[ladybirder]

"Brown" furniture is selling for peanuts at the moment nailit so it might not be worth their time and effort.

[nailit]

Fair enough 237sj but the lady on the phone said that they don't collect from places with stairs before I even mentioned what I'd got. It could have been a few boxes of stuff that I wasn't able to bring downstairs myself (had I been elderly for example) and I cant imagine carrying a few boxes to be much of a problem.

[237SJ]

It depends what you told them. If you told them that you have furniture then that is not a few boxes of stuff. I suppose they just want to explain the ground rules before you go any further

[nailit]

// I suppose they just want to explain the ground rules before you go any further//
Sounds about right I suppose. Just seems a bit peculiar that they are desperate for donations but a flight of stairs is to much to navigate.

[237SJ]

Removal companies would have insurance against their workers being injured when bringing furniture down from upper floors but charities don't have that kind of budget.

[nailit]

Just thinking about it, some years ago I donated a couple of wardrobes as I was moving in to accommodation with built in wardrobes, wasn't a problem then with the charity getting them down from the upstairs bedrooms.

[nailit]

Sorry Ladybirder, just seen ur post. This isn't 'brown furniture'

[woofgang]

nailit, some years ago liability insurance and the protection of volunteer (or even paid) workers wasn’t thought of. I was involved in LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Operations 1998) compliance in my previous job. The changes that that law brought in in the NHS were seriously amazing. Things that I had done without a thought for years were banned just about overnight and, looking back on it, quite right too!

[nailit]

Thanks woofgang, so it IS a health and safety thing then?

[woofgang]

yes I think so, but not in a dismissive “oh its just elf an safety carp” way....rather that law and practice have made things safer for employees and volunteers. I understand that the rate of back injury in the NHS, for instance, has whistled down. I came out of my employment with a duff back and one duff knee.....it was wear and tear and what could be expected at the time which when you think about it, is dreadful.

[pixie374]

It's much better in nursing and care work too now- much fewer back injuries. Although when I had a bed delivered, it stated they delivered to ground floor only "for health and safety reasons", but that if you paid £20, they would be prepared to overlooking those....

[nailit]

Thanks woofgang, I can understand that. I did my own back in when I did farm work back in the 80's doing work that wasn't really mine to do (path laying when I was employed as a chicken/egg man)

Pixie, amazing what an extra £20 can do ;-)

[emmie]

if you still have the items, contact British heart foundation, they will take stuff if its suitable to resell.