There can be few of us who have not been affected by the tragedy of the effects of the tsunami wave in South East Asia. We have seen the harrowing pictures on our TV screens and have read the accounts of the havoc caused by this freak of nature in our newspapers. The United Nations predict that it will take many years of concerted effort to restore the economies and lives of these devasted areas. The Oxfam shop in Liskeard has had large amounts of money donated for which we are very grateful. Many have asked if the charity takes clothes and blankets specifically for these areas, but we cannot. The sorting, packing, transport and delivery to those in need would be a long and costly affair. Processing and sale in our Oxfam shops has a more immediate effect with the cash raised financing projects such as provision of fresh water supplies. Since the disaster, the public has not only dug deeply in its pockets but has delivered very large amounts of goods and clothing to our shop. That's great! But wait a minute - how many of these donations can actually be sold? Would you wear a dirty blouse or a jumper with a hole in it's sleeve, use stained saucepans, chipped cups? Of course not. The rule has to be that if you cannot use an item yourself, then we cannot sell it. Sackloads of non-saleable goods often fill our sorting and pricing room to such an extent that volunteers are barely able to find enough room to work. During the bank holiday week a car and trailer took a load of waste to the local tip and Caradon Council was kind enough to take a second load without payment - thank you. To all our donors, please make a New Year resolution not to give us unsaleable goods - give them to the dustman instead. Thank you, have a very Happy New Year.
FREDA BROWN Oxfam