Radio Features

The North Shropshire Furniture Scheme which is based in Wem has provided household goods for around 1,500 families over the past year. Now donations are drying up because people are choosing to sell their unwanted items rather than give them away.

Hayley Wood, who runs the scheme, said anyone who was on a very low income and claiming means tested benefit could buy all kinds of furniture from the store at a much reduced price: "All electrical goods are tested, so we know that they are safe and you do actually get a guarantee with them."

She is appealing for more donations, especially of beds, pots, pans, cutlery and other basic household items. The beds need to have their fire labels intact.

Ms Wood said donation were few and far between at the moment and the situation was difficult: "I'm afraid we won't exist and people will actually go further afield and have to pay more for the goods that we've got here."

She is appealing to people not to dump their unwanted items: "Don't throw it, donate it!"