THE Bromsgrove branch of the Salvation Army charity shop is joining a national campaign to encourage people to Gift Aid their donations.

Currently only 18 per cent of donations are Gift Aided, and area manager for the Salvation Army Trading Co. Ltd (SATCoL), Jayne Sargeant, believes that if more people knew how easy it was to join the scheme, more than an extra £6,000 could be raised for the charity across the region.

She said: “We’re grateful for all the donations we receive, however it really does make a big difference when our customers agree to let us claim Gift Aid on their donations.”

“As long as you are a UK tax payer, all you need to do is complete a short declaration form at the shop. We then register you on our system so that each time you come back with donations they’re automatically gift aided. It couldn’t be simpler.”

Gift Aid means that charities can claim an extra 25p from the Government for every pound they make. The Salvation Army estimates that the average bag of donations to one of its shops is worth approximately £20, so with Gift Aid it would become worth £25.

Jayne added: “Gift Aid is a fantastic HMRC initiative and if everyone that could sign up for it did so, that extra 25 per cent would mean thousands more being raised locally each month.

“Across all our shops the potential contribution from Gift Aid adds up to millions each year. This money could be funding The Salvation Army’s valuable work with people who are vulnerable and in need across the UK.”

The Bromsgrove branch of the Salvation Army charity shop operates on the High Street, and accepts donations of good quality men’s, women’s, children’s and baby clothes as well as homeware, music and toys.