Donating pre-loved items to Stripey Stork

The sizes we stock range from Newborn to age 16.

We kindly ask that all clothing is freshly laundered, sorted and bagged by size/gender.

We do not have adequate washing facilities on site, so any clothes which are unclean will reluctantly have to be passed onto another charity. If clothing or linen has been in storage, please freshly wash before donating to us.

Sometimes we get asked whether people can knit baby clothes and blankets for us – we love these items but please ensure no buttons are used (they can be a choking hazard) and a note of the type of wool used is included (for washing and allergy reasons).

Stripey Stork prides itself on passing on items in great condition. It makes all the difference to the person on the receiving end. If you are not sure whether your clothing donation is suitable or not, a good barometer is would you give it to the children of a good friend? If the answer is yes, we are happy to receive it.

We rehome toys, games, puzzles and books for children up to the age of 16.

All new toys are required to bear a CE mark, which is a declaration that the toy complies with safety requirements.

All toys must meet strict safety requirements, whether they are new or second-hand.  Toys must not:

• Be made of flammable materials.
• Have sharp edges or points.
• Have easily detached parts or features (eyes, buttons, stuffing etc.).
• Contain toxic substances, or be painted with toxic paints.
• Operate at more than 24 volts.

Toys should be designed and manufactured to meet standards of hygiene and cleanliness and avoid any risk of infection, sickness or contamination. To avoid suffocation, plastic bags used for packing toys must be too small for a child’s head, and should be made of plastic which is of sufficient thickness not to pose a suffocation risk. Small parts are a choking hazard to children under 36 months of age.

If you would like to donate your pre-loved small soft toys, please wash them beforehand.

Please ensure that the cot is no more than 10 years old, if it is then it’s unlikely to conform to safety standards.

Check that the rails and base slats are present and are not splintered or otherwise damaged.

Any metal rails or bars should not be bent or damaged.

Please supply dismantled. Assembly instructions MUST be provided with the cot and all screws/fittings placed in a sealed bag and securely attached to the cot frame.

We cannot accept used mattresses due to safety concerns and space, but do provide a new mattress with each cot we pass on.

If you do not have the instructions then please look through our library of instruction manuals or search online, print and attach to the item.

Please ensure that the highchair is no more than 10 years old, if it is then it’s unlikely to conform to safety standards.

We can rehome highchairs if they have a tray, safety harness, are sturdy and secure, with brakes if on casters and are clean.

If you do not have the instructions then please look through our library of instruction manuals or search online, print and attach to the item.

Please ensure the item is no more than 10 years old, if it is then it’s unlikely to conform to safety standards.

Items must be cleaned before donating to us please. We do not have the manpower to clean every donated buggy, therefore outsource this when required. If you are unable to clean your donated buggy, we kindly ask you to consider making a financial contribution to the professional cleaning cost. 

Please ensure the following safety points have been checked:

• There are no sharp edges or points.
• Folding chassis must have a primary and secondary locking device which both engage and work properly.
• Safety harness is in good condition, secure and the straps are not frayed.
• Wheels are secure and there is no evidence of any heavy wear on the edges of wheels.
• Parking brake works both forwards and backwards, and engages properly.
• Item is stable in all directions (forwards, backwards and sideways left and right).
• Tubes or linkages have not been bent by heavy impact with kerbs or stairs.
• There should be no way of small fingers becoming trapped in any exposed tubes.
• The permanent label headed ‘Carelessness Causes Fire’ should be present indicating compliance with the flammability requirements. If not, the item will have to be rejected as all upholstered items must comply with flammability labelling.

If you do not have the instructions then please look through our library of instruction manuals or search online, print and attach to the item.

Please include the adjuster screws and bolts, suction cups for mounting on the wall, extension bolts and any other small parts, in a clear plastic bag, secured to the gate.

If you do not have the instructions then please look through our library of instruction manuals or search online, print and attach to the item.