Charity hopes to cash in on foreign ‘shrapnel’

The Children’s Society has launched a new partnership with Travelex Foreign Currency Services that will see unwanted holiday currency, foreign coins and notes turned into vital funds to help some of society’s most disadvantaged children.

Two thirds of travellers return from abroad with foreign currency and the average holidaymaker is coming home with just over £28 in notes and coins.

This new partnership hopes to raise over £25,000 in the next year that will go towards helping hundreds of vulnerable children simply through collecting unused currency.

Just five per cent of people ever change the foreign money back into sterling. Worse still, 17 per cent admit they have thrown away the money on returning, rather than be lumbered with loose change.

Only four per cent donate it to charity, even though it is easy to hand it over to good causes.

Joe Waterton of The Children’s Society said: “We are all guilty of stockpiling old coins and bank notes at home.

“This new partnership will make it very straightforward for anyone to turn old holiday currency into vital funding that could help provide a safety net of support for a young runaway or time out for a young carer.”

Dan Gilby ofTravelex Currency Services said: “Travelex is delighted to be partnering with The Children’s Society to help exchange leftover currency for much-needed support for disadvantaged young people.”

Visa Europe estimates that UK travellers amass on average more than £900m unused foreign currency a year.

Collection boxes are located at all 84 Children’s Society shops, and collection pouches can be provided for offices, schools and churches.

For your nearest Children’s Society shop please visit The Children’s Society or call our supporter care team on 0300 303 7000.

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