Preseli’s generosity: transforming surplus into community support through A Good Thing
At A Good Thing, we believe in the power of meaningful connections, where businesses with surplus items can directly impact charities in need. One company that truly embodies this mission is Welsh firm Preseli, a long-time supporter of sustainability and charitable giving.
In its latest donation, Preseli was matched with no fewer than EIGHT different charities across the UK, providing branded bandanas and 47 laptop sleeves to organisations working tirelessly to support their communities.
Thanks to Jan Alder from Preseli, who ensured these items reached their destinations, the donations have already started making a difference in unexpected and inspiring ways.
A smooth and impactful process
For Preseli, donating via A Good Thing has been a seamless experience, with Jan sharing: “The process was very smooth, no issues at all.”
This ease of donation has encouraged the firm to continue finding ways to support charities, ensuring surplus items don’t go to waste but instead serve a valuable purpose.
When asked what motivated this particular donation, Jan explained:
“We found surplus stock of laptop sleeves and bandanas that were no longer required by a customer. Generally, we look for a mix of charities – those we have not helped previously, those who have not received many donations due to their location, and also any close to our own location.”
Repurposing surplus: where the laptop sleeves went
Laptop sleeves may seem like a simple item, but for many charities, they serve a greater purpose than just protecting devices. Here’s how some of the organisations have benefited…
St Germain’s Church, Edgbaston runs various community interventions, including wellbeing sessions, benefits advice and job-search assistance. Having recently received donated laptops, the church saw the sleeves as “ideal” to protect these vital devices. When they arrived, they turned out to be larger than expected, so the team got creative! Instead of laptop storage, the sleeves are now being used to safely store files and resources, protecting them from damp and damage.
The Village Hall and Walled Garden Charity in Cornwall is on a mission to raise funds for disabled access. Vice Chair Helen Macfarlane told us:
“We are indeed well pleased to have had the laptop sleeves. These laptop sleeves (and other items from A Good Thing) are being sold at our offsite events to raise funds to cover our running costs while the hall is closed. If all goes well, we will be reopening in the autumn – hopefully debt-free, thanks in part to donations from A Good Thing.”
Shelter in Liverpool helps people facing housing struggles. Many of the charity’s staff work remotely or out in the field, so laptop sleeves were the perfect match to keep their essential tech equipment protected while supporting their work.
Forth Valley Men's Shed in Scotland runs digital training sessions for older and disadvantaged members. Participants bring their own laptops or use those provided by the charity, and these donated sleeves now help keep their equipment safe as they continue to learn and connect.
The 4 All Foundation in Shropshire requested sleeves for its Digital Learning Programme, ensuring that those accessing its support have the tools they need to succeed.
Bandanas bringing comfort and support
Branded bandanas may not seem like a life-changing donation – but for the charities that received them, they became a source of warmth, community, and even fundraising opportunities.
St Germain’s Church, Edgbaston included the bandanas as part of its Christmas gift package for those in need, ensuring that their community felt cared for during the festive season.
The Goldenhar Support Group charity was thrilled to receive bandanas for its family event goodie bags, bringing joy to 30 families impacted by Goldenhar Syndrome. CEO Suzanne Pitchford fed back:
“The donation process was very smooth. We will be mentioning A Good Thing in our newsletter and committee report – without you, our family goodie bags would look sparse.
Preloved Sports CIC, an organisation dedicated to reducing clothing waste while helping people in need, distributed bandanas to homeless charities in York and Grimsby:
“All 317 have been dropped off at the local homeless centre in York this morning; they will help keep the homeless warm through the winter.”
Wrexham Community Gardeners, where volunteers work to make green spaces accessible and enjoyable, also received a supply of bandanas to support its outdoor efforts, and told us.
“Our volunteers are appreciating the bandanas while working out in the cold. Thank you.”
Seeing the impact first-hand
Preseli has been consistently inspired by the demand and gratitude from charities:
“When we first used the platform, we were surprised by the amount of interest. Now, understanding how these items are used, it is so good to see them being put to such good use.”
While the high demand for these donations is a reminder of the many challenges charities face, it also reinforces the importance of giving. When asked how it felt to see such high demand from the charities, Jan from Preseli noted:
“Although it’s sad to see the extent of homeless need, it is so good that these items will help, and it encourages us to make sure anything we can, will be donated.”
Preseli’s journey with A Good Thing began at the BPMA sustainability conference a few years ago. Jan recalled:
“We were immediately struck by such a wonderful idea.”
Since then, the firm has remained dedicated to finding meaningful ways to contribute, recommending A Good Thing to others motivated by the positive impact it makes on both charities and the environment.
The bigger picture: how businesses can make a difference
This latest donation from Preseli is just one example of how businesses can turn surplus into support. By repurposing items that might otherwise go to waste, the firm has enabled charities to continue their work, raise funds and provide valuable resources to their communities.
Are you a charity keen to get involved? Does your business have items that could be generating value rather than waste?