Age Action’s five charity shops provide essential funding for our work to help older people who wish to remain living in their own homes, providing them with a basic DIY and  home visitation service, specially designed computer training courses and  information about their rights and entitlements, and campaigning  to make Ireland the best place in the world to grow old.

“Finding the funding to continue and expand these services is one of the biggest challenges for us in 2009 faced with the economic downturn, and our charity shops are a vital source of revenue,” Mr Matthews said. “For every Euro we receive in State support we have to bring in  €8 from our fundraising activities.”

Unwanted gifts can be dropped in at the shops in Camden Street, Dublin, Dunlaoighre, Monaghan, Castlebar or Upper Abbeygate Street, Galway.  Age Action does a stock collection service in Dublin and Galway, visiting more than 100,000 homes annually. Appointments can be made for the collection of goods by phoning 01-4756989.

However, there are some types of gift which the shops cannot accept. Due to safety regulations, Age Action can only take electrical goods if they are new and the packaging has not been opened.  Likewise, only toys which have the CE mark can be accepted.

“The shops cannot accept food, perishable items, alcohol or large items of furniture,” he said. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has donated goods or purchased items in our shops during 2008.”