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Sue Ryder

~400 shops Website ↗ Their donation guidance ↗ verified 10 Jul 2026

They can sell 18-rated media, though ID may be requested for age-restricted purchases.

Baby & children

Furniture

  • Can't accept Damaged, broken or incomplete furniture
    Their wording
    “donated furniture with unsafe missing parts or damage”
  • Can't accept Glass furniture without safety markings
    Their wording
    “furniture with glass that does not have a kite mark or tempered glass”
  • Can't accept Upholstered furniture without a fire label

    Furniture predating the 1950s doesn't need a fire label.

    Their wording
    “upholstered donated furniture without a fire label (unless pre-1950s)”
  • Check first Corded blinds

    Accepted only if unopened, in original packaging with safety instructions included.

    Their wording
    “roller or venetian blinds (unless in original packaging with safety instructions included)”
  • Check first Mattresses

    Soiled or dirty mattresses are not accepted; clean ones are fine.

    Their wording
    “soiled or dirty mattresses”

Homeware & household

Electrical

  • Can't accept Computers, phones and other data-holding devices

    Also excludes mobile phones and e-readers.

    Their wording
    “laptops, personal computers, and tablets - we can't ensure they are wiped of personal data”
  • Can't accept Electric blankets and heat pads
    Their wording
    “electric blankets”
  • Can't accept Gas appliances
    Their wording
    “gas or petrol appliances e.g. gas cookers, heaters or those designed to operate on bottled gas”
  • Can't accept Large appliances and white goods

    White goods plus microwaves.

    Their wording
    “donated white goods - e.g. fridges, freezers or washing machines”
  • Can't accept Microwave ovens

    White goods plus microwaves.

    Their wording
    “donated white goods - e.g. fridges, freezers or washing machines”
  • Can't accept Oil, paraffin and petrol heaters

    Includes pressure stoves or lamps designed to use oil.

    Their wording
    “oil appliances e.g. oil or paraffin heaters, pressure stoves or lamps designed to use oil”
  • Can't accept Sunbeds and UV lamps
    Their wording
    “sunbeds and tanning equipment”
  • Can't accept Used or unsealed personal-care electricals
    Their wording
    “Personal hygiene electrical items (shavers, foot spas)”

DIY & garden

Safety equipment

Mobility & medical

  • Can't accept Medicines and medicinal products
    Their wording
    “medicines or medications”
  • Can't accept Wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walking aids

    Includes wheelchairs, wheeled walkers, mobility scooters, Zimmer frames, bath aids, hospital beds.

    Their wording
    “any mobility equipment e.g. wheelchairs, wheeled walkers, mobility scooters, Zimmer frames, bath aids or hospital beds”

Health & beauty

  • Can't accept Hot water bottles
    Their wording
    “hot water bottles”
  • Can't accept Used or opened cosmetics and toiletries

    Includes hair dye and nail varnish, even if unsealed... their wording covers these even when sealed.

    Their wording
    “cosmetics and toiletries; including hair dye and nail varnish (even if unsealed)”

Sharps & weapons

  • Can't accept Ammunition, flares and fireworks

    Also covers Christmas crackers, party poppers, fireworks and sparklers.

    Their wording
    “ammunition”
  • Can't accept Guns, replica weapons, swords and crossbows

    Covers swords (incl. replicas), crossbows, bows and arrows, catapults, guns and replica toy guns.

    Their wording
    “swords (including replicas)”
  • Can't accept Knives and bladed items

    Excludes cutlery; also excludes sharp gardening and hand tools.

    Their wording
    “sharp knives (excluding cutlery)”

Hazardous materials

  • Can't accept Loose and car batteries

    Not accepted even in original, sealed packaging.

    Their wording
    “batteries (even if in original, sealed packaging)”
  • Can't accept Paint, solvents and household chemicals

    Exception: artist's paints can be sold. Also covers glue, aerosols, methylated spirits and mercury thermometers.

    Their wording
    “paint (including aerosol paint) - this does not apply to artist's paints, which we can sell”

Food & drink

  • Can't accept Alcohol

    Includes homemade wine.

    Their wording
    “alcoholic beverages (including homemade wine)”

Media & books

Restricted materials

  • Can't accept Ivory, fur and taxidermy

    Also excludes crocodile, alligator and snakeskin products.

    Their wording
    “We do not sell or take donations of ivory or real fur.”
  • Can't accept Military uniforms and medals

    Covers military, police, and any company-branded uniforms.

    Their wording
    “military, police, and any company branded uniforms”
  • Can't accept Tobacco, lighters and smoking accessories
    Their wording
    “Cigarettes and tobacco products (incl. ashtrays, lighters)”

Bedding & textiles

  • Check first Duvets and pillows

    Accepted only if sealed in original packaging; children's pillows are excluded outright.

    Their wording
    “duvets and pillows (unless sealed in original packaging)”

Clothing & accessories

Sport & outdoor

  • Can't accept Roller skates, rollerblades and skateboards

    Also covers skateboards and scooters.

    Their wording
    “roller skates and ice skates”
  • Can't accept Treadmills, exercise bikes and gym machines

    Covers rowing machines, running machines, cross trainers.

    Their wording
    “exercise bikes, rowing machines, running machines, cross trainers”
  • Can't accept Used inflatable beds, boats and water toys

    Also excludes inflatable dinghies and armbands/rings worn as flotation aids.

    Their wording
    “buoyancy aids, life jackets and inflatable dinghies”
  • Check first Bicycles

    Only repaired and tested bicycles upcycled through the Sue Ryder Bicycle Workshop are sold; not all shops take bike donations.

    Their wording
    “only repaired and tested bicycles which have been upcycled through our Sue Ryder Bicycle Workshop”

Additional source wording

Specific restrictions that have not yet been consolidated into their own item pages:

  • Pram mattresses
  • Children's shoes (except brand-new soft-soled pram shoes)
  • Used Play-Doh/plasticine
  • Toys for under-3s not sealed in original packaging
  • Angora wool products
  • Free promotional books/CDs/DVDs marked 'not for resale'
  • CBD oil products
  • Chinese lanterns
  • Jewellery made from seeds or beans
  • Motor vehicles or car parts
  • Gas masks
  • Used pierced earrings
  • Grossly offensive and/or discriminatory material