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Oxfam to offer Nectar points on charity donations Oxfam to offer Nectar points on charity donations
(about 1 hour later)
Oxfam has teamed up with Britain's biggest loyalty scheme, Nectar, so that both customers, and anyone who donates their unwanted items, can earn points. Giving unwanted items to Oxfam can now earn you Nectar points, after the charity teamed up with Britain's biggest loyalty scheme.
The charity said it hoped to raise millions of pounds as a result of the "first of its kind" partnership. Oxfam said it hoped to raise millions of pounds as a result of the "first of its kind" partnership.
Nectar claims to be the UK's largest loyalty programme with more than 18 million cardholders. From Thursday 4 April, those who sign up to Oxfam's gift aid scheme, called Tag Your Bag, will be able to earn two points for every £1 their donated items raise when sold in Oxfam shops or online. Customers will also receive 100 points when they first sign up. Nectar claims to be the UK's largest loyalty programme with more than 18 million cardholders. Those who sign up to Oxfam's gift aid scheme, called Tag Your Bag, will now be able to earn two points for every £1 their donated items raise when sold in its shops or online. Customers will also receive 100 points when they first sign up.
Gift aid is run by HM Revenue & Customs and allows charities to reclaim the 25% tax on donations by UK taxpayers. Over the last few years a growing number of charity shops have been inviting people to boost the value of their donated clothes, books and CDs simply by filling in a gift aid declaration.Gift aid is run by HM Revenue & Customs and allows charities to reclaim the 25% tax on donations by UK taxpayers. Over the last few years a growing number of charity shops have been inviting people to boost the value of their donated clothes, books and CDs simply by filling in a gift aid declaration.
Oxfam started rolling out Tag Your Bag in early 2009. More than 600,000 people have signed up so far, and all but 22 of its almost 700 UK high street shops are taking part.Oxfam started rolling out Tag Your Bag in early 2009. More than 600,000 people have signed up so far, and all but 22 of its almost 700 UK high street shops are taking part.
Oxfam will process all donations, adding a unique code to each item to ensure that sales can be tracked back to the individual donor, thereby allowing points to be rewarded if and when an item is sold in store or through its online shop.Oxfam will process all donations, adding a unique code to each item to ensure that sales can be tracked back to the individual donor, thereby allowing points to be rewarded if and when an item is sold in store or through its online shop.
If, for example, your bag of unwanted DVDs raised £30, including the gift aid, that would give you 60 points. However, with 500 points typically required to produce £2.50 that can be spent on rewards such as money off shopping, travel, eating out and day trips, few people will get rich from their giving.If, for example, your bag of unwanted DVDs raised £30, including the gift aid, that would give you 60 points. However, with 500 points typically required to produce £2.50 that can be spent on rewards such as money off shopping, travel, eating out and day trips, few people will get rich from their giving.
Sarah Farquhar, head of retail brand at the charity, said: "Oxfam is always looking for good-quality donations and this initiative will enable us to engage with an entirely new audience.Sarah Farquhar, head of retail brand at the charity, said: "Oxfam is always looking for good-quality donations and this initiative will enable us to engage with an entirely new audience.
"Collecting Nectar points in this way is exclusive to Oxfam and we are aiming to raise millions of pounds from the scheme, which will go a long way in supporting our vital work fighting poverty around the world." "Collecting Nectar points in this way is exclusive to us and we are aiming to raise millions of pounds from the scheme, which will go a long way in supporting our vital work fighting poverty around the world."
Customers can sign up to Tag Your Bag in an Oxfam shop or by visiting oxfam.org.uk/tagyourbag. They will receive a welcome pack, which includes the tags that must be attached to the bag of donated goods before they are dropped off at an Oxfam shop.Customers can sign up to Tag Your Bag in an Oxfam shop or by visiting oxfam.org.uk/tagyourbag. They will receive a welcome pack, which includes the tags that must be attached to the bag of donated goods before they are dropped off at an Oxfam shop.