OLD PHONES MEAN NEW HOPE - MP urges support for Oxfam Campaign
25th March 2008
Local MP Des Browne is urging Kilmarnock and Loudoun to help the world’s poorest people – with their old phones. He’s urging people to hand in unwanted mobile phones to Oxfam. The charity hopes to benefit from the number of new phones received as gifts this Christmas by collecting in the old handsets. On average each working handset is worth £5 to Oxfam – but some are worth much more.
Des said:
“With mobile phone users regularly receiving upgrades I am sure there are many old mobile phones lying in drawers in homes throughout Kilmarnock and Loudoun. I am told that so far the charity has raised over £530,000 by recycling mobiles and at the same time have ensured approx 37,500 kilos of electronic waste has been diverted from landfill sites. This campaign is therefore a winner on 2 fronts. If you have an unwanted phone handsets then why not drop it into your local Oxfam store in the Foregate in Kilmarnock.”
Richard Callaghan, who volunteers at the Oxfam Kilmarnock shop, said:
" Oxfam welcome Des Browne's support for our 'Bring Bring' campaign, which helps us turn old mobile phones into real help for some of the poorest communities across the world. So if you have an old mobile phone you no longer need please donate it to Oxfam."
" 1 mobile could help provide 83 school diners, 3 mobiles could pay for 2 mosquito nets, 9 mobiles could provide 63 people with clean safe drinking water. So as you can see, your old phone can make a real difference!"
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