The BBC children's programme last week launched its Treasure Trail appeal, in aid of Childline. Young viewers will be collecting unwanted mobile phones, which will be passed on to Lancaster-based ShP Solutions.
” We are confident that Blue Peter viewers will be able to raise an amazing amount of money “
– Lynne Fearn, Childline
ShP Solutions will donate 3 for every phone it receives through the scheme to Childline.
According to Simon Walsh, marketing director of ShP Solutions, 99% of the phones they receive are either immediately reusable or in need of refurbishment. There is however a small percentage that is unsalvageable and these are broken down and used as spare parts.
Mr Walsh said: “Those phones that are in need of refurbishment, parts replacing, are reused in the UK and Western Europe. When someone loses or damages their phone and a replacement is sent out this will always be a refurbished phone.
“The remaining phones, around 70% are cleaned and sent abroad to places such as Hong Kong, South Africa, Nigeria and South East Asia where they are sold to regular buyers. In these countries it is cheaper to set up a mobile phone infrastructure than a landline infrastructure but often people can't afford to buy brand new phones,” he added.
Childline has been working with ShP Solutions before on a smaller scale and Childline said that this was a “Lucrative” partnership. This encouraged the charity to work on a much larger scale with the company.
Lynne Fearn, corporate partnerships manager for Childline said: “ShP Solutions has worked very hard with us to get this appeal right. We are confident that Blue Peter viewers will be able to raise an amazing amount of money and help Childline answer more children's calls for help.”
Subscribe for free