
The Red Cross is selling excess donations made in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire – ©BritishRedCross/MattPercival
The local community response in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire has been awe-inspiring. Tonnes of clothes and other items have been donated to help victims of the London fire.
The council asked people to kindly stop donating as they soon had more than enough donations.
Now the British Red Cross has been asked to help turn some of the remaining donated clothes into cash for people affected by the fire.
What’s happened to people’s donated items?
The public has been extraordinarily generous in donating to the people of Grenfell Tower. Community groups and volunteers have been working hard collecting and sorting donations.
Due to the vast quantity of donations, the council has stored around 40,000 boxes of donations in a warehouse – that’s the equivalent of more than 100 lorry loads, or three football pitches.
Up until now, our involvement in handling items has been very minimal. Instead, we have been helping to coordinate the Grenfell Community Assistance Centre where fresh food, toiletries, new clothing and bedding are being distributed.
The centre has more than enough items for people affected by the fire.
We’ve now been asked to help make the most of the excess stock. We are drawing on our logistical expertise, and retail experience, to ensure the public’s generosity doesn’t go to waste.
What will you do with the remaining donations?
The Red Cross has been working with local community volunteers to sort through donations and separate new items from excess donations.
The best new items will be made available to people affected by the fire to choose from.
The remaining, excess items will be labelled as ‘Shop for Grenfell’ and sold in British Red Cross shops across the UK.
Every penny raised from the sale of these items will go to the victims via our London Fire Relief Fund.
This is a great opportunity to ensure people’s generosity will support those affected by this tragedy.
Any unsaleable items will be sold for recycling and the profits from this will go to the fund.
Why not just distribute donations to people who need them?
Following the fire, the local community response was unprecedented – there was a phenomenal outpouring of generosity and an awe-inspiring show of compassion.
There are now more than enough items for people affected by the fire and the best new clothes will still be made available to people who need them.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is responsible for getting these items to those affected.
Why were donations put in storage?
The huge public generosity and level of donations meant that some donations had to be temporarily put into storage by Kensington and Chelsea Council.
There are now three football pitches worth of clothes, toiletries and baby equipment. The best way to look after these items and prevent them from getting damaged is to temporarily put them into storage.
How will the Red Cross help turn donations into cash?
The Red Cross will now help turn the excess clothing into cash by selling them in our shops.
Since Wednesday 28 June, we have been working with community volunteers to sort and distribute these donations.
To date around 93 tonnes of donations have been sorted and 76 tonnes are either in Red Cross shops, in transit to them or being held for later distribution to shops.
Vans have been distributing donations from the London warehouse to our southern shops, while lorries have taken stock to our Cheshire warehouse to sort and distribute to northern shops.
Across the UK, our shops will sell the donations and these will be labelled with ‘Shop for Grenfell’.
To date, around 16 tonnes of new product (mainly new clothing, toiletries and new bedding) have been identified and isolated to be sent back on demand to community distribution points. The distribution of goods is organised by Kensington and Chelsea council.
Will all the money raised go to those affected by the fire?
Yes – every penny raised from the sale of donated goods labelled ‘Shop for Grenfell’ in Red Cross stores will go directly to help those affected through the London Fire Relief Fund.
So far Shop for Grenfell has raised £100,000 and this number will continue to rise.
Absolutely no money will go to pay any costs, salaries overheads or admin fees.
Do you still need more donations?
No – the council is asking people to stop donating goods.
How is the money from your appeal actually going to help victims?
The London Fire Relief Fund has so far raised £5.75 million which will be dispensed by the London Emergencies Trust (LET). The money will help to ensure families affected by the fire do not face short-term financial difficulties.
So far £2.4 million has been transferred to the LET which is making the grants to the most seriously affected people now.
The LET has awarded 76 grants totalling close to £1.5 million. A further 37 applications are currently undergoing checks.
More charitable funds will be distributed over the coming weeks and months.
Read more
- If you have an outstanding need or concern related to the Grenfell Tower fire, please contact the Care for Grenfell team on 020 7745 6414 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Alternatively email careforgrenfell@rbkc.gov.uk.
- Donate to the British Red Cross London Fire Relief Fund
- Read more: Grenfell Tower fire: Red Cross response
- Read more: Meet the former heroin addict helping Grenfell Tower fire victims
This blog was updated on 21 July, 11 August, and 15 September 2017
Jun 28, 2017 @ 08:14:24
I have 2 storage units full of furniture that we shipped back from when we were living overseas – enough to furnish a 2 bed flat. Where could I donate this to please for people affected by the Grenfell fire
Jun 28, 2017 @ 10:49:23
Hi Lisa,
There are now three football pitches worth of clothes, toiletries and baby equipment. The council is asking people to not donate any more goods those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.
Kind regards,
Laura
Jun 28, 2017 @ 14:13:42
It is furniture that we wish to donate – beds, sofas, table and chairs crockery etc. It had been our home overseas that we had shipped back but now in storage
Jul 01, 2017 @ 10:23:48
Lisa, why not donate to a local charity for the homeless. There are lots of people who are homeless due to a variety of tragic circumstances, all in need of a helping hand.
Jun 29, 2017 @ 22:47:43
Hi Laura- Still awaiting a response to my posting from yesterday afternoon. I understand that you have been inundated with donations of clothing etc BUT we would really like to donate our furniture so that it will go someways to helping a family get back on their feet after this terrible disaster. We are based in Essex but could arrange transport to London for furniture. Please let us help
Jun 30, 2017 @ 11:00:11
Hi Lisa
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you and thanks for your kind offer.
The donations of clothes and other gifts in kind have been extraordinarily generous – in fact there are now three football pitches worth of clothes, toiletries and baby equipment.
This is more than enough for the people of Grenfell – the council is saying please don’t donate any more.
We always welcome other donations to our stores which we can sell to raise money for our work across the UK and overseas.
Best Wishes,
Matt
Jul 01, 2017 @ 20:10:38
Hi Lisa,
There are several groups run by the local community directly assisting the local people on Facebook. You may want to have a look there.
Jul 02, 2017 @ 17:18:46
Did you ever get anywhere with your offer? I also have furniture (beds, chest of drawers) etc that I would like to donate. But how?
Thanks for any help.
Nov 20, 2017 @ 19:33:19
Hi Sarah, di you find out what to do with your furniture. .. I too have a flatfull to go …
Jun 28, 2017 @ 08:15:49
Thank you British Red Cross. How will the charity shops till takings distinguish between the Grenfell items money and the regular Red Cross items?
Jun 28, 2017 @ 10:48:56
Hi Vesna
Thanks for your question. The items will be specifically labelled ‘Shop for Grenfell’ so when they go through the shop till, this is recorded and every penny raised from the sale will go to our London Fire Relief Fund, which is supporting those affected by the fire.
Kind regards,
Laura
Jun 28, 2017 @ 11:29:02
Which centres are helping sort items? Please can you confirm? Is it Akland Road and/or Kilburn Community centre? Please confirm so we know we are assisting the correct charity!
Jun 28, 2017 @ 14:07:13
Hi Francesca,
We’re sorting through donations at the warehouse where the council temporarily put items into storage. For security reasons, we can’t publicise where the warehouse is located.
Thanks
Sam
Jun 28, 2017 @ 20:32:24
All of them are working with the Red Cross to sort the items.
Jun 28, 2017 @ 12:24:19
Hi Laura, any idea when you’ll be accepting donations again? It’s a shame because someone like Lisa Pugh has all that furniture to donate but it’s being rejected. I understand you’re not accepting food, clothes, toiletries etc but how about furniture for the victims’s new homes?
Kind regards,
Jane
Jun 28, 2017 @ 19:23:41
Who did red cross consult with before deciding to turn the donations to cash? Was this just a decision between RBKC and the Red Cross or were there other stakeholders involved in the decision?
Who agreed to that the fire relief would be the charity of choice?
Is there a current estimate in how much the donations are worth and will all the ‘cash’ made be made transparent to the public.
Will the red cross be taking an admin fee for this service?
Jun 28, 2017 @ 20:30:51
I’m working at a community centre at Kensal Road and we have also been receiving donations can we not use at least 10% of the stuff we have to some of the homeless charities in the area?
Jun 28, 2017 @ 20:43:16
Who give you permission to take and sell any goods?
The good where given to the victims and not the council. As far as i am aware the Red Cross has not been appointed by the victims to deal with the donations. The council do not have the right to hire you to help.
Before you declare yourselves as the people in control of the donations. Please wait for the people to appoint who they see fit.
Jun 29, 2017 @ 09:36:46
Well done for helping take on this massive task! We are aware that the council was planning to centralise donations they received, but there is also several other (at least six to our Knowledge) stores in the area collected by various local groups. They have apparently been made aware of these, but have yet to respond. Is the Red Cross remit to process all donations, or just the ones received directly by the council?
Jun 29, 2017 @ 14:15:59
Hi,
I have collected items to donate through friends and work colleagues for this incident, but as I understand the donation points were inundated with stuff and have now put a stop to it. Is there anyway I can drop my items to somewhere to be included in the British Red Cross campaign to sell at stores and turn into cash for the fire relief fund? as it seems like a lot of waste otherwise.
I am based in Essex/London.
thank you
Jun 29, 2017 @ 15:13:55
Hi Charlotte,
Let me looking into this and I’ll get back to you.
Thanks
Sam
Jul 02, 2017 @ 22:09:48
Hi there, i have the same situation as Charlotte – please let me know if there’s anywhere I can take the collection of clothes etc so that it can be sold with profits going to the Fire Relief Fund. I am in West London.
Many thanks
Jul 03, 2017 @ 12:05:45
Hi Anna and Charlotte,
Get in touch with your nearest Red Cross shop (http://www.redcross.org.uk//Where-we-work/CharityShops) and they will be able to tell you if they can accept donations of clothes to be sold for this appeal.
Kind regards,
Laura
Jun 29, 2017 @ 15:51:14
Just 3 questions:
1) Why is your fund called the London Fire Relief Fund and not the Grenfall Fire Relief Fund?
2) How much of the money raised from the fund is going towards staffing costs?
3) How much does your CEO get paid?
Jun 29, 2017 @ 16:49:56
Hi Mary,
1) We decided to call the fund the ‘London Fire Relief Fund’ as at the time of launching the appeal, that was how most media reports were referring to the fire.
2) No money raised from the fund is going to cover staffing costs, salaries or any admin costs. It is all going to support victims.
3) Our CEO is paid an annual salary of £173,000. You can find out more about salaries and our expenditure in our 2016 Annual Report.
Hope this helps.
Sam
Jun 29, 2017 @ 18:13:19
If there are a team of people willing to transport the donations. Could it be an idea to have well advertised Jumble Sales with coffee mornings around the country – so that the proceeds could go back to the Grenfell charity fund? I know that our community in North Devon would be willing to support this.
Jun 30, 2017 @ 11:51:28
Hi Jennifer
It is a very good point you raise. At this stage we aren’t planning on hosting any jumble sales though. That’s not to discourage others from setting them up themselves. Remember any proceeds from fundraising activities like this can be donated to our London Fire Relief Fund to support the victims of this tragedy.
Thanks for your message.
Matt
Jun 29, 2017 @ 18:56:37
Do you need volunteers to sort through the donations and redistribute, label etc
Jun 30, 2017 @ 10:53:31
Hi Sheila,
At this stage we have all the volunteers we need for sorting. Our volunteers are working alongside our brilliant community partners who are providing volunteers from the local community.
If you want to volunteer more generally for the Red Cross, you can email: volunteering@redcross.org.uk.
Thanks,
Matt
Jun 29, 2017 @ 22:20:45
Hi,
I would like to make a cash donation of 10 pounds towards the Grenfell tragedy.How do I go about it please.
Jun 30, 2017 @ 10:33:51
Hi Mel,
You can donate online to our London Fire Relief Fund. Thanks very much for your support.
Matt
Jun 30, 2017 @ 06:08:19
Hi BRC,
I’ve been working on some of the centres around Grenfell, sorting donations into boxes, andam relieved to see that an experienced Charity will be sorting out the logistics of this mammoth task.
How about a message to the public saying they can take donations directly to their local BRC store, and it can be labelled there ?
Jun 30, 2017 @ 11:47:47
Hi Frankie
Thanks for all that your doing to support the victims of this terrible tragedy.
Our shops are able to Red Cross shops can take donated items for resale with the proceeds going to our London Fire Relief Fund. But only on a case-by-case basis.
Some shops simply won’t have capacity to process the amount of goods at this time. For this reason we are encouraging people to who wish to donate directly to shops to first contact them. You can search for shops in your area here: redcross.org.uk//Where-we-work/CharityShops.
Thanks again
Matt
Jun 30, 2017 @ 09:53:29
Hello,
I have collected clothing from our staff here in our London office, but know that the council are no longer accepting donations.
Is it possible to arrange for these clothes to be delivered to on of the Red Cross stores marked as ‘Shop for Grenfell’ at all?
I really don’t want these donations to go to waste, so if that isn’t an option, please can you advise on what we can do?
Jun 30, 2017 @ 11:40:28
Hi Eleasha,
Thanks for taking the time to organise a collection – it’s really very generous of you.
As you say the council are no longer accepting donations due to the extraordinary amount of donated goods they have already received.
Red Cross shops can take individually donated items for resale with the proceeds going to our London Fire Relief Fund. But only on a case-by-case basis. You will therefore need to call your nearest shop to see if they are able to accept the donation. You can search for shops in your area here: redcross.org.uk//Where-we-work/CharityShops.
Hope that helps,
Matt
Jul 02, 2017 @ 06:06:08
The fresh start grant is it to furnish a new home. If so is it per person I don’t understand the sums with the amount given
Jul 04, 2017 @ 15:48:42
Hi Lesley,
The £10,000 fresh start grant is available to every family who has been made homeless. Residents of Grenfell Tower are able to access this grant by calling or emailing the Rugby Portobello Trust and asking to speak to the New Homes Team on 0207 229 2928 or newhomesteam@rpt.org.uk. These are initial distributions to meet immediate need.
For more information about available funding, those affected can also call the Red Cross helpline on 0800 458 9472.
Kind regards,
Laura
Jul 02, 2017 @ 07:45:41
I would like a comment on the video of a council meeting that states that Red Cross are selling donations without making provisions available to survivors of Grenfell. I really do hope that is NOT the case………..
Jul 03, 2017 @ 12:15:06
Hi Kate,
We are aware of the video you mention and would like to reassure you that the British Red Cross is only selling excess donations to help generate funds for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. We have been assured that there is now more than enough for the people of Grenfell, with fresh food, toiletries and new clothing and bedding being distributed to those affected every day at the Westway centre. Through ‘Shop for Grenfell’ we are helping to turn surplus items of clothing into cash where every penny raised from the sale of these items in Red Cross stores will go directly to help those affected by the fire.
Kind regards,
https://blogs.redcross.org.uk/wp-admin/edit-comments.php#comments-form
Laura
Jul 02, 2017 @ 15:02:16
Are you partnered with the Westway Trust?
Jul 03, 2017 @ 12:47:22
Hi Chi,
The British Red Cross is helping to coordinate the Grenfell Community Assistance Centre at Westway Sports Centre, which is a venue looked after by the Westway Trust.
Kind regards,
Laura
Jul 03, 2017 @ 08:26:43
Seems dodgy to me from a video I looked at on a council meeting and a woman saying Red Cross was selling food from the collective donations while people were still going without food in hotels that only serve breakfast, also people without shoes etc. No one will ever know how much mo eye has been raised or from sales. I don’t trust charities in UK anymore especially ones that pay a CEO more money than a prime minister makes.
Jul 03, 2017 @ 12:13:04
Hi John,
We are aware of the video you mention and would like to reassure you that the British Red Cross is not selling food from donations. The needs of those affected are our absolute priority. The Red Cross is helping to coordinate the community assistance centre where fresh food, toiletries and new clothing and bedding is being distributed to those affected every day. We have also been asked to help to turn excess clothes donated for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire into cash, by selling them in our high-street shops. Every penny raised from the sale of these donated items in Red Cross stores will go directly to help those affected by the fire.
Kind regards,
Laura
Jul 04, 2017 @ 13:36:56
I saw a video on line where a volunteer spoke of the desperation of victims trying to obtain appropriate things to meet their immediate needs.
As the shambolic set up had failed these people, she coordinated boxes of items to be packed up and named for the recipients.
These emergency packs were sent in to the centres such as the Westway where the victims were closest (as many having no transport) to.
British Red Cross intercepted the tailored emergency aid packs and made off with them before the victims could get them.
I hear strong “rumours” of donations made to the British Red Cross for Grenfell disaster, Borough Market & Westminster Bridge terror attack victims being used to fund other overseas interests / projects associated with the Red Cross.
If true, I would consider this fraudulent use of the donations by the kind British people who have given hugely to specifically help those affected by the above.
I donated through another route as I could find nothing on the British red cross website to confirm what was raised would 100% go to helping these victims. If anything, the website indicated through a link I clicked on that my donation could go anywhere in the world. Read page link below “carefully”.
http://www.redcross.org.uk/en/Donate-Now/Donation-enquiries/Questions-about-emergency-appeals
Very disappointing, especially as we are not hearing of any foreign aid coming in from countries outside GB.
Its not that though when other countries have earthquakes, tsunami’s, floods etc and we donate to help them!
Jul 05, 2017 @ 12:16:43
Hi Ritchie,
Thanks for your concern for the victims of this terrible disaster.
The British Red Cross is only selling excess donations to help generate funds for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.
We have been assured that there is now more than enough for the people of Grenfell, with fresh food, toiletries and new clothing and bedding being distributed to those affected every day at the Westway centre. Through ‘Shop for Grenfell’ we are helping to turn surplus items of clothing into cash where every penny raised from the sale of these items in Red Cross stores will go directly to help those affected by the fire.
The money raised will be used to assist the victims and their families. We will not take any of our administration costs out of the money raised – no staff salaries or such costs will be deducted.
Hope that alleviates your concerns.
Best wishes,
Matt
Jul 06, 2017 @ 17:21:52
Hi Richie,
We have been assured that there is now more than enough for the people of Grenfell with fresh food, toiletries and new clothing and bedding being distributed to those affected every day at the Westway centre. That’s why the British Red Cross are helping to turn excess items of clothing into cash through ‘Shop for Grenfell’. Every penny raised from the sale of these items in Red Cross stores will go directly to help those affected by the fire.
If you know anyone who would like to find out about the support that is available to them, they can call 0800 4589472 (free from landlines and mobiles) open 8am to 8pm.
In terms of monetary donations, we would like to reassure you that none of the money raised for the London Fire Relief Fund, the UK Solidarity Fund, or the We Love Manchester Emergency fund will be spent overseas. The page you have referred to does not apply to these UK appeals.
Kind regards,
Laura
Jul 18, 2017 @ 02:34:25
I’d like to buy 1 tonne of clothes from the donations.
Is this possible?
Turn clothes into money for the victims?
Jul 19, 2017 @ 11:02:14
Hi James,
Let me find out and get back to you.
Cheers,
Sam
Jul 19, 2017 @ 14:39:35
Hi James,
Great to hear that you want to support our Shop for Grenfell scheme! Unfortunately we can’t sell stock en masse like that. Each item has to be priced individually to ensure we raise as much money as possible for victims of the fire, and we want to offer all customers the same opportunity to support the appeal.
You can check out what stock is available in your nearest shop.
Thanks for your support.
Sam
Aug 10, 2017 @ 23:29:23
Give the people affected the money.
Your call centre worker messed up.
Where’s the money we donated. We want it in the hands of the victims of this tragedy yesterday
No more excuses
Aug 14, 2017 @ 10:36:09
Hi Ash,
Thanks for your message. Every penny of the £5.75 million raised by the Red Cross for the London Fire Relief Fund will go to the surviving victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster and their families. £2.4m has already been transferred to the London Emergencies Trust which is making the grants to the most seriously affected people now. They have so far awarded 76 grants totalling close to £1.5m (1,475,500). 37 further applications are currently undergoing checks.
Hope that helps ease your concerns.
Kind regards,
Laura
Nov 24, 2017 @ 03:42:01
I comment in reference to a news article on your website below
http://m.redcross.org.uk/en/Home/About-us/News/2017/November/Budget-day-still-not-enough-social-care-funding
Maybe you would be kind enough to give us accurate up to date figures of the following regarding the appeal please?
Total amount raised to date – £
Total amount distributed to victims to date – £
Information to what this released funding has been used for?
Expected revenue from Grenfell items priced & awaiting sale in shops – £
I’m sure many people would appreciate an update on this and thank you in advance for taking the time to reply.
Dec 12, 2017 @ 12:17:33
Hi Ritchie,
Thanks for your enquiry and apologies for the delay in getting back to you.
As of 11 December 2017 the British Red Cross London Fire Relief Fund has raised £6.7m. £5.6m of this is now with the London Emergencies Trust (LET) for distribution.
The LET has already distributed over £5m of grants to families affected by the fire and is working hard to make sure remaining grants are awarded as quickly as possible.
That breaks down as follows:
• £4,437,000 – distribution to the next of kin of each missing person who has died or is declared missing presumed dead in the fire (£90,000)
• £360,000 – payments are available for immediate distribution to each person seriously injured and requiring hospital treatment requiring a stay of over 7 days (£30,000).
• £126,000 – initial payments of £3500 for those who spent over 6 hours in hospital.
• £80,000 – payment of £10,000 for those who spent between 4 days and 1 week in hospital.
A further £100,000 has also been set aside by Red Cross to help bereaved families travelling from overseas. These funds will provide travel assistance so families are able to come to the UK to take care of their loved ones’ affairs.
Various other funds were also set up in the wake of the tragic fire, to help those affected. Over £18m of the £24 million raised overall (this includes British Red Cross funds) has already been distributed to victims and their families.
More information on the full amount raised for the victims of the Grenfell fire is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/663693/Grenfell_Charitable_Funds_Report_30_11.pdf
So far Shop for Grenfell has raised approximately £223,000 from the sale of around 66 tonnes of second-hand goods and generous cash donations in our shops.
We expect that the amount of money raised from selling second-hand goods will continue to rise as not everything has been sold yet.
Best wishes,
Matt