Foreign coins could help needy children

11:01am Friday 28th November 2008

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ALMOST £1 million in unwanted foreign currency is lying around in homes in Wychavon, according to a new report.

Now the Post Office is urging people to donate their left-over foreign coins to raise money for the children’s charity Barnardo’s.

Special collection boxes were placed on Post Office counters this week, offering holidaymakers and customers the chance to drop any unwanted foreign coins for a good cause.

Participating post offices in Wychavon include Evesham Post Office in the High Street.

According to the report, more than a quarter of people said they hang on to foreign currency when returning from a trip abroad, while 26 per cent do change their notes back into sterling.

Helen Warburton, Post Office head of travel services, said: “We’ve all come home from holiday and put any left-over coins in a drawer and forgotten about them.

“But we’re inviting people to think about what better use they can put that cash to.

“By bringing all the unwanted currency together, people can make a huge difference to the lives of some of the UK’s most vulnerable children.

“And it’s not restricted to coins - customers can also donate unwanted foreign notes and even sterling if they so wish.

Previous foreign coin collections at the Post Office have raised more than £1.1m and the hope is that this year will be the greatest coin collection yet.

Liz Cox of Barnardo’s said: This is an ideal opportunity to clear out that loose change that is cluttering up people’s drawers.

“We’re asking people to please take their foreign coins down to the local post office and make a real difference to the lives of children who really need our help.

“Barnardo’s works with 100,000 children and their families throughout the UK who are affected by today’s most urgent issues such as poverty, disability and abuse.”