All items · Sharps & weapons
Guns, replica weapons, swords and crossbows
Also covers: air rifle, bb gun, replica gun, sword, crossbow, samurai
Why shops refuse it
Firearms controls, age restrictions and staff safety mean the charities tracked here refuse these items.
What to do instead
Hand firearms and realistic replicas in to the police; registered firearms dealers can also take them.
Charity by charity
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Can't accept
British Heart Foundation
Guns and ammunition also not accepted. Weapons can be dropped off at a local police station instead.
Their wording
“Weapons (swords, sword sticks, crossbows, realistic toy weapons)”
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Can't accept
British Red Cross
Firearms (incl. starting pistols), realistic toy weapons, swords, daggers and axes.
Their wording
“Firearms and ammunition”
-
Can't accept
Cancer Research UK
Also axes, crossbows, catapults, firearms (incl. airguns), and replicas unless obviously toys.
Their wording
“Swords, sword sticks”
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Can't accept
Claire House Children's Hospice
Their wording
“Weapons”
-
Can't accept
Cornwall Hospice Care
Includes replica guns unless obviously toys
Their wording
“Guns and ammunition (including replica guns, unless obviously toys)”
-
Can't accept
DEBRA
Firearms of any sort are also excluded.
Their wording
“Weapons & knives of any type”
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Can't accept
Dorothy House
Includes real or imitation firearms, swords, crossbows, air rifles and BB guns
Their wording
“Firearms –real or imitation”
-
Can't accept
Emmaus
Their wording
“Guns, knives and weapons, replica or otherwise”
-
Can't accept
LOROS Hospice
Their wording
“Weapons”
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Can't accept
Octavia Foundation
Their wording
“Sharp knives or swords”
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Can't accept
Overgate Hospice
Their wording
“Guns, crossbows and ammunition (including replica guns)”
-
Can't accept
Princess Alice Hospice
Includes swords, sword sticks, crossbows, guns and replica guns
Their wording
“Guns and ammunition (including replica guns)”
-
Can't accept
Salvation Army (SATCoL)
Swords, sword sticks, crossbows, guns (incl. replicas), antique or otherwise.
Their wording
“swords, sword sticks, crossbows, guns and ammunition, antique or otherwise (including replica guns)”
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Can't accept
Shaw Trust
Their wording
“firearms/ammunition/weapons”
-
Can't accept
St Barnabas Hospice (Lincolnshire)
Includes guns (replica guns accepted only if obviously toys), swords, sword sticks and crossbows
Their wording
“Guns (including replica guns unless obviously toys)”
-
Can't accept
St Christopher's Hospice
Includes firearms and replicas
Their wording
“firearms (including replicas)”
-
Can't accept
St Giles Hospice
Includes swords, crossbows and replica guns
Their wording
“Guns and ammunition (including replica guns)”
-
Can't accept
St Peter's Hospice
Their wording
“Swords, sword stocks, crossbows”
-
Can't accept
St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
Their wording
“Weapons”
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Can't accept
Sue Ryder
Covers swords (incl. replicas), crossbows, bows and arrows, catapults, guns and replica toy guns.
Their wording
“swords (including replicas)”
-
Can't accept
The Children's Trust
Includes swords, crossbows and replica guns.
Their wording
“Weapons, knives, swords, sword stocks, crossbows.”
-
Can't accept
Trinity Hospice (Blackpool)
Crossbows, guns, swords
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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 21 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 Crisis
- Not mentioned Dogs Trust
- Not mentioned FARA Charity Shops
- Not mentioned Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
- Not mentioned Keech Hospice Care
- Not mentioned Marie Curie
- 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 Traid
- Not mentioned Willen Hospice
- Not mentioned Woodgreen Pets Charity
- Not mentioned YMCA (England & Wales)