Donated items sometimes make volunteers blush - and not in a good way - says charity

A charity has revealed a list of bizarre items members of the public have donated to its charity shops.

They include a full dominatrix set, a china doll with a lock of human hair glued under its clothes, a mummified cat, loose teeth with the roots still attached and 40 life-sized plastic pigeons.

According to Shelter Scotland, which runs a network of over 30 shops nationwide, weird and wonderful donations are frequently made by members of the public.

Other donations include a parcel containing one woman’s engagement ring, a wedding photo album and a divorce certificate.

The charity has compiled a list of what to and what not to donate to its charity shops.

A full bag of dirty underwear – around 30 pairs - was donated in Glasgow while a caravan was donated in Dundee.

Alison Watson, deputy director of Shelter Scotland, said: “Our supporters have donated some wonderful items over the years that have raised funds for our vital work.

Some of the more interesting items are certainly conversation starters with our customers

“There are times, however, when we open the donations sacks and are left flabbergasted by what we find. My personal favourite was the china doll as it had obviously been someone’s treasured possession before it was donated to us, as was the mummified cat.

“We welcome all donations – within reason - and some of the more interesting items are certainly conversation starters with our customers. We’re sometimes pleasantly surprised by what some people actually buy.”

Along with the more unusual items, Shelter has received generous donations including £21,000 worth of designer dresses to its Dundee shop last month.

Some £5,000 worth of men’s designer clothes which were donated in Aberdeen in January and a vintage Rolex watch which was valued at over £7,000 after being donated in a black bin bag in Edinburgh, in amongst brick-a-brac items.

Scottish comedian Kevin Bridges also donated the suit he wore to his first gig at the SECC – complete with handwritten notes and one-liners hidden in the inside jacket pocket.

"While some of the weird and wonderful donations might raise a laugh, Scotland’s housing crisis is no laughing matter.

"Today in Scotland 150,000 households are on waiting lists for a home and over 35,000 people made homelessness applications in the last year alone. We are counting on the public to support us so that we can carry on with our vital work.”

The charity says that as well as donations, it urgently needs volunteers to help raise vital funds through its shops.

For a ful list of donation dos and don'ts visit Shelter Scotland's Facebook page