THE true cost of being donated 'unsaleable' items has been laid bare by an Isle of Wight charity.
Friends of the Animals (FOTA) has issued an urgent plea asking people to stop leaving goods outside its Newport premises.
A disheartening scene greeted staff when they went into work on Tuesday morning - as they were faced with torn bags and boxes of largely unsaleable items that had been rained on.
Among the items were an old broken case, a chair with the seat hanging off, and a horse with a hoof missing.
The charity said this, and other items, are unsaleable and will have to be dumped, at cost to the charity.
Last year, FOTA spent £243,000 helping island animals. Staff and volunteers are "truly grateful" for donations of quality goods, as it is the sale of these items that largely fund their life-saving work.
However, there is a very real cost to the charity every time they have to make a trip to the tip.
Additionally, every time their skip is emptied, £330 is diverted away from caring for animals.
Charity founder Helen Sinclair said: "Every day we make good things happen and we can only do it with your help, so please continue to support us.
"But, please think about what you are dropping off and only deliver goods during our opening hours.
"These are Tuesday to Saturday from 10am."
FOTA's base is at 17a Riverway, Newport.
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