Cancer Research UK has said it can't take donations for its shops yet, but will need them in the future

Scots who are doing a spring clean at home are being urged to ‘sort and store’ to help beat cancer while lockdown restrictions continues.

All 83 of Cancer Research UK’s shops in Scotland are temporarily closed during the Covid-19 outbreak to protect staff, volunteers and customers. And donated items left outside shops could be damaged, stolen or become a hazard to the community as there is no one to accept them.

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “Now more than ever we need the public’s help to continue our life-saving work, so we’re grateful to people who are using the extra time at home to detox their wardrobes and clear out their cupboards.

“However, we ask that people sort and store items at home ready for safer times. With around four people diagnosed with cancer every hour in Scotland, we remain tirelessly committed to making progress in the fight against the disease. This means when our shops are able to re-open, we will need vital donations.

“In the meantime, people can still support our research through our online stores.”

Cancer Research UK’s online marketplaces eBay and depop sell preloved items and the charity’s online shop offers a range of gifts, as well as a Cancer Care collection for all stages of cancer treatment and recovery. These stores are all open and raising funds. For more information on how to donate, visit the Cancer Research website.

Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK was able to spend around £42 million in Scotland last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.