Blunkett launches national fundraising scheme for Guide Dogs

David Blunkett is lending his support to launch a national fundraising campaign for Guide Dogs in partnership with the recycling charity scheme ‘Each One Counts’ and Veolia Environmental Services.

Guide Dogs is asking the public to donate used inkjet cartridges (and unwanted or old mobile phones) for recycling in exchange for cash to support its work, which helps provide independence and freedom to thousands of blind or partially sighted people.

Politician David Blunkett, who has been blind since birth, comments: “This is an excellent scheme that combines recycling with a fantastic contribution to the mobility, dignity and independence of blind people.  The initiative of recycling print cartridges is painless for those taking the trouble to contribute but extremely valuable in raising the necessary funds for guide dog training.  As my own dog, Sadie, will be retiring next year, this is very close to my heart.  I commend all of those who have been involved in the previous scheme to recycle unwanted mobile phones, which raised £5,000.  I hope we can do even better with this new initiative.”

Against a challenging economic backdrop in which personal charity donations typically declined by more than 10% in 2009/10, the new Guide Dogs recycling fundraising scheme allows donors to raise extra money without having to part with more cash.

Pat Stead, founder of Each One Counts, said: “In these financial times, it is not always possible for people to donate to charity. However, anyone who uses a printer can make a real difference and it’s absolutely cost free. The donation of just ten inkjet cartridges could support a working guide dog partnership for a whole day.”

Each One Counts is run by Environmental Business Products, Europe’s largest remanufacturer of inkjet printer cartridges, which has been working in partnership with Guide Dogs since 1998.  Over 130 charities across Europe are now signed up to the Each One Counts scheme, and to date has paid out more than £5 million to the charity sector.

Each year, over 60 million inkjet printer cartridges are needlessly thrown away when they could be turned into cash for charity.

If you would like to collect inkjet cartridges in support of Guide Dogs please call 0845 603 9779.  Alternatively, cartridges can be taken to local Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC).