Gift Aid

Frequently asked questions

What is Gift Aid, and why does it matter?

Gift Aid allows charities to claim an extra 25p for every £1 you donate – at no cost to you. It helps your donation go further, simply and safely.

Am I eligible to Gift Aid?

To be eligible to Gift Aid, you must be a current UK taxpayer. This has to be either Income tax or Capital Gains tax, and you need to have paid enough tax to cover the amount that you are donating in that tax year to both us and other charities that you Gift Aid to.

How do I Gift Aid?

There are lots of different ways you can sign up depending on whether you what to Gift Aid on monetary donations, on donated items, or both.

Gift aid on monetary donations

• When donating online, tick the Gift Aid box on the donation form.
• Call us on 01785 270808 to make a verbal declaration. We will send you confirmation of your declaration in the post and you can cancel if you choose to within 30 days.
• Complete a Gift Aid Declaration for monetary donations form and return it to us.

Gift aid on donated items

• Visit one of our shops and ask to sign up to Gift Aid.

What am I agreeing to when I tick the Gift Aid box?

• You’re confirming you’re a UK taxpayer and pay enough tax (income or Capital Gains tax) to cover the Gift Aid on your donations.
• Gift Aid applies to all donations you make to charities (unless you opt out).
• Your donations are your own money, not someone else’s or a collection.
• You understand that if your tax status changes, you need to let us know.

Why do you need my name and home address?

It’s an HMRC requirement. They need to match your details to our Gift Aid claim.

Why is a separate Gift Aid form needed for cash donations and donated items?

HMRC require different types of declarations depending on how you give. When you donate money, you’re making a financial contribution directly. When you donate items, you’re giving goods that we sell on your behalf, and the proceeds are treated differently under tax law.

That’s why we need separate Gift Aid forms: one for monetary donations and one for donated goods. Each declaration allows us to claim an extra 25p for every £1 raised, at no extra cost to you.

How does Gift Aid on donated items work?

When you donate goods, you won’t know the amount of money that they will raise until they have been sold, and so we write to you before claiming Gift Aid to advise you of this. We will confirm the amount raised, and give you the opportunity to tell us if you haven’t paid enough tax to cover.

There are some further terms and conditions detailed on the Gift Aid on donated items declaration form in relation to donating goods under Gift Aid, so please be sure to read it through when signing up.

What happens if I move house or my tax status changes?

You should let us know as soon as possible so we can update our records. It helps us keep your Gift Aid declaration valid and compliant.

Will you remind me if I need to update anything?

We aim to keep you informed, but it’s your responsibility to let us know of any changes that may affect your eligibility.

Can I cancel my Gift Aid declaration?

Yes, at any time. Just get in touch and we’ll make sure it’s updated on our system.

• For monetary donations, please email [email protected], or call 01785 270808.
• For goods donations, please email [email protected] or call 01785 218251.

Why is this important?

Incorrect or outdated declarations can lead to compliance issues for charities and HMRC repayments. Staying up to date helps us maximise your generosity, safely and legally.