Lanarkshire MSP Meghan Gallacher has praised the invaluable role of volunteers during a visit to the British Heart Foundation’s shop in Motherwell.
The visit took place ahead of Volunteers’ Week, marking the annual contribution of volunteers up and down the country.
In Scotland, around 14,000 volunteers regularly give up their time to help the BHF in its 75 Scottish shops.
During the visit, the Conservative Central Scotland list MSP heard more about the role of volunteers taking in donations from the local community and the incredible benefits of shopping preloved, preventing good quality items from going to landfill, creating a sustainable, circular economy and saving money, while also funding the BHF’s lifesaving research.
Meghan said: “It was a great pleasure to see first-hand the incredible work being undertaken by the amazing volunteers at the BHF Scotland shop in Motherwell.
“Many of our businesses and charities rely heavily upon the time given by volunteers.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our communities. It is hugely important that we come together to acknowledge the selfless work that volunteers contribute daily across the UK.
“Volunteering provides a range of opportunities for people to gain new skills and make new friendships. We cannot thank them enough for the time, enthusiasm and commitment they provide.
“Volunteers truly are community champions of the highest degree.”
In a year, the BHF saves around 71,000 tonnes of goods going to waste and through the reuse and recycling of donated items, helps prevent 135,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions being released into the atmosphere.
The charity will also sell over half a million pieces of living room furniture and 14,000 tonnes of preloved clothes from its stores.
BHF Scotland’s Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Jonathan Roden said: “It was great to welcome Meghan to our Motherwell shop and talk about the crucial support of our fantastic volunteers here and right across Scotland.
“It goes without saying that volunteers are the lifeblood of our shops. Every hour donated makes a difference. It helps us raise money to power lifesaving science to save and improve more lives.
“Across Scotland around 700,000 people are living with heart and circulatory diseases. Your gift of time can help us, help them.”
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