Residents urged to give unwanted items a new lease of life

Ilkley residents are being encouraged to clear out unwanted items and give them a new lease of life when the town’s annual Recycle Day returns on Saturday, 26 September.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Ilkley Wharfedale, the event will take place at Ilkley's main car park from 10am to 3pm, offering residents the opportunity to donate a range of items that can be reused, refurbished or put to good use through charitable projects both in the UK and overseas.

Items being accepted include:

• Bicycles of all ages and sizes [Electric bikes cannot be accepted]

• Mobility aids

• Clean trainers

• Spectacles

• Workshop tools

• Backpacks

• Sewing machines

Rotary is also collecting items for schools in The Gambia, including dictionaries, pictorial encyclopaedias, early-years books, pens, pencils and other stationery, as well as small items of sports equipment such as cricket bats and pads, tennis balls, small racquets, inflatable footballs and pumps.

Bicycles and sewing machines are passed to Upcycle of Shipley, where many items are refurbished in prisons before being given a new lease of life.

Spectacles are processed by the Rotary Club of York Ainsty, where they are graded before being distributed to people in poorer countries.

Workshop tools are collected by Francis McCrickard of Tools For Africa and sent to Africa to help people establish businesses and develop livelihoods.

Educational and sports equipment is processed through The Gambia Schools Trust and sent to schools and communities in The Gambia, while donated trainers are passed to the Biasan Charity in Bradford.

The Rotary Club of Ilkley Wharfedale is encouraging residents to check their homes, garages and sheds for suitable unwanted items and bring them along on Saturday. Further details are available on the Rotary website: https://rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1826