Simon,Your leaflet looks like another example of commercial companies asking for clothes and goods to be donated without saying what they are doing with them. In fact I did a search on your example and it is a Russian company.The Hounslow Council Tradings Standards person rang me back this week, answering my query, saying strictly speaking the company is not breaking the law asking for donations if you want to do that. They do not say they are a charity. But it is deceitful not fully explaining what their service is exactly.The Tradings Standards have noted the leaflet I have sent to them and will add it as an example in their education to people. There are lots of Local Councils putting up warnings to people about these Clothing Collections, there seems to be a rash of them. For example Nuneaton Council's message about these:"Householders are being informed about recent clothing collections operating within the borough. Leaflets delivered through front doors typically ask for donations of clothing, shoes and household items claiming that they will be sent to third world countries to help the poor. Some of the collections are made by charities, but others by commercial operators, who may only make a small (if any) donation to charitable causes. Leaflets being distributed include statements such as 'third world clothing appeal' and 'clothing collection'. These can lead householders to believe the collectors to be acting on behalf of charities whereas in reality, it is very difficult to confirm where the items are likely to end up or that any charitable causes will actually benefit. Some 'charitable' doorstep collections have, in the past, been linked to traders who have re-sold the items for profit. Some of these companies either trade illegally or give incorrect company information. Others have been criticised in the past by the Advertising Standards Authority for implying they are 'charitable' organisations when they are not. Cllr Geoffrey Ashford, Portfolio Holder for Health and the Environment says: ‘We want our residents to be as vigilant as possible against any leaflets that land on their doorstep. Although what these companies are doing is not necessarily illegal, they may be misleading the public into thinking that they are charities when they are clearly not. I would encourage everyone to give their clothes and household items only to bags provided by well known charities, or take them to a charity shop themselves. Any resident that is concerned can always contact Warwickshire Trading Standards.’" So good advice.
Duncan Walker ● 6534d