All items · Sharps & weapons
Ammunition, flares and fireworks
Also covers: bullets, shotgun cartridges, flare, fireworks
They say no
Refused by all 19 charities that directly name or broadly cover it (18 direct, 1 broad).
Why shops refuse it
Explosives can't be sold or even safely stored by shops.
What to do instead
Police for ammunition; the coastguard advises on flare disposal; your fire service can advise on old fireworks.
Charity by charity
-
Can't accept
British Heart Foundation
Guns and ammunition also not accepted (see weapons).
Their wording
“Fireworks”
-
Can't accept
British Red Cross
Their wording
“ammunition”
-
Can't accept
Cancer Research UK
Also fireworks & accessories.
Their wording
“Firearms including airguns and ammunition”
-
Can't accept
Cornwall Hospice Care
Their wording
“Guns and ammunition (including replica guns, unless obviously toys)”
-
Can't accept
DEBRA
Their wording
“Explosives in any form”
-
Can't accept
Dorothy House
Their wording
“Fireworks”
-
Can't accept
Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
Their wording
“Fireworks”
-
Can't accept
Overgate Hospice
Their wording
“Guns, crossbows and ammunition (including replica guns)”
-
Can't accept
Princess Alice Hospice
Their wording
“Guns and ammunition (including replica guns)”
-
Can't accept
Salvation Army (SATCoL)
Also fireworks.
Their wording
“guns and ammunition, antique or otherwise”
-
Can't accept
Shaw Trust
Their wording
“fireworks”
-
Can't accept
St Barnabas Hospice (Lincolnshire)
Their wording
“Ammunition”
-
Can't accept
St Christopher's Hospice
Their wording
“explosives-including fireworks”
-
Can't accept
St Giles Hospice
Their wording
“Guns and ammunition (including replica guns)”
-
Can't accept
St Peter's Hospice
Their wording
“Guns and ammunition (including replica guns)”
-
Can't accept
Sue Ryder
Also covers Christmas crackers, party poppers, fireworks and sparklers.
Their wording
“ammunition”
-
Can't accept
The Children's Trust
Their wording
“Guns and ammunition (including replica guns).”
- Can't accept Trinity Hospice (Blackpool)
-
Can't accept
Wales Air Ambulance
broad category rule
Dangerous items generally not accepted for legal and safety reasons
Their wording
“We cannot sell dangerous items for legal and safety reasons.”
Not mentioned in 25 charities' guidance
Absence from a charity's list doesn't mean they accept it — it just isn't singled out. Ask your local shop.
- Not mentioned Acorns Children's Hospice
- Not mentioned Age UK
- Not mentioned Barnardo's
- Not mentioned Claire House Children's Hospice
- Not mentioned Crisis
- Not mentioned Dogs Trust
- Not mentioned Emmaus
- Not mentioned FARA Charity Shops
- Not mentioned Keech Hospice Care
- Not mentioned LOROS Hospice
- Not mentioned Marie Curie
- Not mentioned Octavia Foundation
- Not mentioned Oxfam
- Not mentioned PDSA
- Not mentioned Phyllis Tuckwell
- Not mentioned Samaritans
- Not mentioned Save the Children
- Not mentioned Scope
- Not mentioned Sense Scotland
- Not mentioned Shelter
- Not mentioned St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
- Not mentioned Traid
- Not mentioned Willen Hospice
- Not mentioned Woodgreen Pets Charity
- Not mentioned YMCA (England & Wales)