First Bus turns lost property into funding stream for Forget Me Not

First Bus in Huddersfield is using its lost property to help raise vital funds for the Forget Me Not children’s hospice charity, which is headquartered in the town.

A collection bin at the operator’s depot will be used to supply unclaimed items found on its bus services to be sold in the charity’s shops.

The depot receives nearly 100 items a month that are never returned to the owners after 28 days from being lost and handed in.

Money raised from the sales will contribute the £6.5m a year Forget Me Not needs to run its services for local children and families, including nursing care, hydrotherapy and creative therapy, days out and bereavement support.

Susan Carson, Head of Retail at Forget Me Not, said: “We are always looking for additional sources of good quality donations to help us keep our shops stocked so we are delighted to partner with First Bus to make use of their lost property. It’s amazing what people leave on a bus!”

A wide variety of personal belongings left on First Bus services includes umbrellas, hats and gloves, sporting equipment, clothing and electronic devices.

Mubs Mahmed, Community & Social Value Partner for First Bus in West Yorkshire, said: “The amazing work of Forget Me Not touches families in the communities we serve, so we are delighted to play a role in helping to raise funds which will support them.

“This partnership will create a continuous flow of goods to replenish its shops. It also means a sustainable second life for items that our customers have lost and avoids disposal into the waste system.”

Forget Me Not has 15 shops around the region with seven in the Huddersfield area.

Picture captions:

Jane Arthur, Depot assistant at Huddersfield, greets Peter North (left), a driver with Forget Me Not together Mubs Mahmed.

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