InPost has announced the launch of a new charity campaign — Secret Senda — in partnership with homelessness charity Shelter.

The UK-wide initiative, which runs until 31st December, ensures that members of the public can use any one of InPost’s 2,500 lockers across the UK, to send charitable donations to Shelter for free.

It coincides with consumer research commissioned by InPost which reveals that the average person is sitting on £400 worth of unwanted items. 

But despite this, nearly one in five (19%) people will throw away unwanted but valuable items, rather than donating them to charity – with the key excuse for doing so being ‘a lack of time’.

According to Shelter, a household becomes homeless in England every four minutes, and last Christmas alone there were 120,000 children without a home and in temporary accommodation.

Jason Tavaria, CEO of InPost said: “We know that consumers want to do the right thing and support charities but sometimes struggle with the logistics of dropping off their items. 

“Our partnership will help to remove this barrier by opening up our locker network for hassle-free donations, 24/7, while also helping to keep Shelter’s charity shops stocked over the coming winter month.”

Andy Harris, director of fundraising from Shelter added: “We’re in the grips of a housing emergency, millions of people don’t have a safe and secure home. 

“Too many have faced a difficult year in cold, damps flats, in unsuitable and unsafe temporary accommodation, or even on the streets. As growing numbers of people need our support, we need yours. 

“Good quality clothes, bags, shoes, accessories and homeware are all really welcome and we’d like to thank people in advance for every donation.”