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New scheme means seized goods can be given to charity
HOMELESS people in Goole have been fed and clothed thanks to a partnership involved with the seizure of counterfeit goods.
East Yorkshire Council's trading standards service is working with a national charity to rebrand counterfeit goods, which can then be redistributed to two local voluntary groups.
The His Church charity has been working with brand owners to develop a way to rebrand counterfeit items and the charity is now offering a disposal service to trading standards units in the UK - which East Riding Council (ERYC) has used for the first time.
His Church recently collected a large quantity of counterfeit goods, seized by ERYC's trading standards service, from which large donations of food and warm clothing have been made to The Spires and Hinge organisations, which help homeless and disadvantaged people in Goole.
Richard Humphrey, senior co-ordinator for HIS Church, said: "The rebranding is key. The items may not have the perceived value of a designer piece of clothing anymore, but it's exactly the same quality.
"We are delighted to partner East Riding of Yorkshire Council's trading standards service, Spires and Hinge, to help many vulnerable people in Goole."
Colin Briggs, trading standards services manager, said: "Disposing of counterfeit goods, seized by trading standards officers during their normal day-to-day operations, has always been difficult.
"Many of the items seized are of good quality but frequently end up in landfill as brand owners were unwilling to let counterfeit goods be reused, even to benefit charities.
"The cost of sending these items to landfill in the past has been substantial and meant that less money was available to spend on frontline trading standards work."
He added: "I am pleased that the service has been able to responsibly dispose of these items and, at the same time, has been able to make a difference to those in our society who are in need."
East Riding councillor, Jane Evison, portfolio holder for cultural services, housing and public protection, said: "This new arrangement means that for the first time the council's trading standards service can dispose of these items to the benefit of those in our society who are less fortunate than ourselves."
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Weather for Goole
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
