Sorting the Rags from the Riches

Andrew was ready to greet us at the St Leonard's donation centre and gave us a quick tour of the warehouse and facilities and a safety briefing - all very organised.

We started on the mammoth pile of bags that had been donated, being careful to tip out the contents rather than put our hands into the bag (you never know what you mind find and it could be something sharp or broken). Andrew was quite strict about what clothes would pass as good enough quality to be hung on the rail for sending to the shop. Everything that wasn't deemed good enough (and there was a lot) was put into "rag bags" which are sold at £1 per bag. Myself and Laura were mainly sorting clothes, whilst Ellie and Katie also got a big bag of toys which they enjoyed playing with!

Andrew entertained us with a fantastically loud gold microphone which had been donated and said he used it to tell his volunteers to stop chatting and get back to work (in the nicest possible way)! We soon filled 2 rails full of clothes and added significantly to the mound of "rag bags". Just as we were getting to the bottom of the cage full of bags, more donations arrived so Andrew said he would be happy for us to return next week.