Website jumble sale ‘nets’ cash for charities

Dec 1 2008 by Andrew Baldwin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Looking for a way to get rid of unwanted items – and help to raise money for charity? Then JumbleAID fits the bill. ANDREW BALDWIN reports on a Huddersfield enterprise that was launched with a royal visit

IT was the state of Simon Pailin’s garage that started it all.

Quite simply, it was bursting at the seams with jumble which he just couldn’t bear to throw away.

In Simon’s mind, it was too good to go to the tip, yet was not the type of thing that would be accepted by charity shops such as electrical or bulky items.

A conversation about finding new homes for secondhand goods followed and planted the seed for a new internet venture.

He teamed up with associate Colin Feeley and now Huddersfield-based JumbleAID has burst into life – allowing people to sell unwanted items online with the proceeds donated to charity.

It was officially launched last week when the Duke of Gloucester visited the Media Centre in Northumberland Street to give the project a send-off.

The process is simple; those looking to get rid of unwanted items can post them online free of charge, nominating a charity they would like to support and a nominal target donation.

The payment does not go to JumbleAID but directly into a charities trust account.

Collection or delivery is arranged between the two parties.

Simon says: “JumbleAID is only the start, we’re buzzing with exciting new ideas that will revolutionise the way that funds can be raised for charities by harnessing the power of the internet.”

JumbleAID hopes to appeal not just to individuals but to companies, large and small, which are keen to make a difference.

Businesses can help in three ways.

First, they can place secondhand items on the website instead of sending them to landfill. Second, companies can set up a group scheme and encourage all their staff or customers to join. Third, they can either advertise on the website or sponsor parts of it.

And that’s the way JumbleAID aims to generate its operating revenue, through sponsorship, advertising and affiliate programmes.

Simon, 50, has been in advertising and marketing all his working life and helped found two of the largest specialist marketing agencies in the north of England.

Partner Colin has a business specialising in providing complete internet marketing solutions for small to medium sized enterprises.

JumbleAID has been backed by Ajaz Ahmed and Rob Wilmot, co-founders of internet service provider Freeserve.

Carl Hopkins from Brighouse, recently on TV’s Secret Millionaire programme, is also on board.

Huddersfield University lecturer Nadio Granata completes the team of six who have invested a six-figure sum into building the complex website and developing the brand.

National charities that have pledged to use JumbleAID and sign up as founding charity partners include Barnado’s, World Vision, and The Prince’s Trust as well as the Laura Crane Trust on a regional level with many more expected to follow suit.

Promotional activity will include newsletter articles, features on the web and staff schemes.

Plaudits have already come for JumbleAID.

In a presentation to a panel of charity experts at the Institute of Fundraising, JumbleAID was awarded the highest possible ranking for innovation and fundraising potential.

Other than some exclusions through safety and decency, there is no restriction on what can be offered on the website.

So listings can include a few bags of compost to a baby piano that needs re-tuning or even a classic car.

The two founders liken it to a perpetual jumble sale without the unseemly stampede for bargains or the beating down of prices.

Simon says: “With growing consumerism and an escalating throwaway society even the most environmentally aware find it hard not to accumulate many unwanted but perfectly serviceable items in garages, spare rooms or attics.

“JumbleAID offers a way to turn all these items into valuable unrestricted funds for anyone’s chosen charity. It is a new way for charity supporters to raise money for their charity without having to put their hands in their pockets.”

www.jumbleaid.com