Date: 2nd February 2005

Norwood adopts a green approach to fundraising with new recycling appeal

Norwood has launched a new 'eco-friendly' fundraising appeal supported by GMTV's weather presenter Clare Nasir . The recycling campaign raises funds through the collection and recycling of used printer cartridges and mobile phones. Clare Nasir launched the appeal at the charity's Kennedy Leigh Children & Family Centre in Hendon, where she was joined by kids from the Toy Library service, and a walking, talking mobile phone!

The recycling appeal will target organisations and the general public. People can
choose either to receive individual freepost mailing bags, which hold a single cartridge or phone, or they can ask for a larger recycling box. Free collection can be arranged whenever the box is full. Every old phone and cartridge will be sent to experts at a processing centre who will give cash to Norwood for each item recycled. Recyclers will have an opportunity to enter a prize draw to win a luxury European weekend break for two.

Speaking at the launch Clare Nasir said: "This is a fantastic campaign, designed to help raise funds for Norwood. There are enough unwanted mobile phones in the UK to stretch around a football pitch 32,000 times! If every person sent just one old mobile phone, or used printer cartridge to be recycled instead of throwing it into the bin we could reduce the amount of waste polluting our environment. At the same time, they will be raising vitally needed funds for a charity that does such great work with disabled and disadvantaged kids and their families. Please do your bit - it's quick, easy and won't cost you a penny!"

When mobiles and cartridges are binned they often end up in landfill sites where they can cause pollution by leaking chemicals into the soil. The mobile phones sent in to support Norwood will be refurbished and resold, with some ending up in developing countries. The printer cartridges will be refilled and reused.

To register for Norwood's Recycling Appeal simply call 08712 505050 , or log onto www.recyclingappeal.com/norwood

For further information, please contact David Wosner, Public Relations Officer at Norwood on 020 8420 6942 or email david.wosner@norwood.org.uk