Hebrides Alpha and Bethesda are working in partnership to provide a Textile bank service in Lewis & Harris.

Items collected include clothing, sheets, towels, handbags, curtains, belts & footwear (shoes, boots, trainers, wellies, slippers which should be tied in pairs or kept separate in Co-op/Tesco type bags).

The goods can be in any condition, as long as they are clean and dry. Holes in the shoes, heels hanging off, jumpers with holes etc, are all acceptable. Items should be placed in bags, so that when the banks are emptied, it makes the job easier and the clothes are kept dry.

Monies raised from selling the items in the banks go towards supporting the local work of the Bethesda Hospice and Hebrides Alpha.

The goods are sold to Blythswood Care and they sell the better quality items in charity shops across the Highlands and other items are sent to Romania, where the monies raised support a number of initiatives including the Daniel Centre orphanage in Cluj-Napoca.

Lochs Filling Station, Garynahine, Creed Recycling park, Co-op, Tesco, Western Isles Hospital, Lews Castle College, Engie’s, Laxdale Hall, Tong Hall, Sandwick School, Aignish end of the Braighe, Timsgarry Shop, Bernera Community Centre and Urgha Civic Amenity Site.