EVERY Christmas unwanted gifts are condemned to dusty drawers and rubbish bins, never to be seen again.
But, whether it’s a foot spa you’ll never use, a ghastly jumper knitted by a devoted grandparent, or Peter Andre’s autobiography, All Saints Preservation Trust in Leighton Buzzard might have the answer.
The trust is appealing for any duplicated or unwanted Christmas presents which will be re-sold to help the ongoing restoration of the town’s oldest building - All Saints church.
The recycled gifts will be sold-on at the annual Leighton Buzzard May Fayre, where the trust has had a stall every year since 2000.
Each year, the unwanted gifts given a second chance include soaps, bath foams, perfumes, and small household items such as clocks, sandwich makers and clock radios.
Other surplus items include keep-fit items, foot spas, hot water bottles, nightdresses and slippers, games and toys, books, DVDs, CDs, computer games, pottery, glassware and knitwear.
Appeal director Terry Warburton said: “We are enormously grateful to the support we get from the town with this appeal.”
The re-sale, which raises more than £1,000 each year, will help restore part of the exterior of the church which is currently cordoned-off as a precaution.
Explained Mr Warburton: “The next phase of work is the north transept which is in poor condition as some small pieces of stonework have become loose and there is concern that with high winds or severe frost they may become dislodged.
“As soon as we have raised sufficient money we hope to set to work to remedy the situation”.
Gifts, which should be in their original packaging and complete, can be dropped into Dillamore’s Furnishers in the High Street year or into All Saints church, Church Square.