Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is to set up ‘drive through donation stations’ for people to donate their good quality, preloved clothes and furniture.

The charity has issued an urgent appeal as it prepares to reopen its charity shops.

The drive through stations will be at different locations in Poole on selected dates and times.

Vicki Gray, Area Fundraiser, said: “At the beginning of lockdown we asked our wonderful supporters to take the opportunity to do a serious spring clean and reorganise at home and the feedback from people was fantastic.

“We are now able to safely accept their gifts and donations of good quality clothes and furniture.

“This new ‘drive through donation station’ initiative will enable us to make sure that our shops are well stocked for reopening and full of items to inspire and entice shoppers back.”

The first drive through donation station is at Tower Park, main car park, opposite Pure Gym.

It will be open between 10am and 2pm on July 13, 14 and 15.

The second is at David Lloyd Club car park in Poole.

It will be open on July 16 and 17 from 10am until 2pm.

Vicki, pictured left, said: “To prioritise safety, supporters and donors will be asked to fill their car boots with items they wish to donate in sealed bags.

“They will be asked to unload their donations themselves and leave them with us in a designated area.

“At this time we are only able to accept donations of good quality clothes and furniture.

“This process means that all donations made will be contactless.

“Each donation will be quarantined for several days, to minimise the risk of virus transfer.

“Lucy and Sophie Maidman from Store and Secure, a family-run business near Castlepoint, Bournemouth, have kindly given our charity complimentary storage space to support this great recycling initiative.

“We would like to thank everyone in advance for supporting our donation appeal and look forward to all of our shops being open again very soon with some wonderful preloved treasures.

“This is such a positive and environmentally friendly way to help our charity hospice, which will enable us to support more local people with life-limiting illnesses in the community.”