Charity re-use shop staff given a ‘knight’ to remember

Stunned staff at a charity re-use shop were given a ‘knight’ to remember - when a suit of armour was handed in as a donation.

Workers first at the council’s Burnham Recycling Centre, run by FCC Environment and then at the South Bucks Hospice shop at the High Heavens recycling centre in High Wycombe were handed the life-sized donation at the end of last week.

The reuse shop is run by the hospice in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council and FCC Environment.

Shop manager Gary Pritchard said: “It was dropped off at the recycling centre in Burnham and collected by a re-use driver, so I don’t know who handed it in, but we were very surprised when it came into the shop.”

Now they are trying to raise money to help patients by selling off the suit, which comes complete with a sword, to the highest bidder at a silent auction, ending this Sunday.

Jackie Ward, Acting Chief Executive of South Bucks Hospice, said: “We receive all sorts of items here but this one was a surprise even to us - I mean it’s not going to fit on the bric-a-brac shelf is it! It is a fantastic gift for us and appears to be in good condition. We hope to get a good resale price to help our charity. This is a great example of how re-use works, we accept all kinds of items that would otherwise be thrown away.”

Peter Strachan, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment commented: “The suit of armour is a wonderful and unique donation to the hospice shop – which I’m sure will raise valuable funds for this important charity. So if you fancy having a knight in your home, then join the battle to be the visitor in this week’s silent auction.”

Meanwhile, residents can declutter and drop items off at any of Buckinghamshire nine household recycling centres. Items of interest include bikes, furniture and electricals and lawnmowers. These are then resold at Aston Clinton and High Wycombe.

Pictured, shop manager Gary Pritchard with the Knight in Shining Armour