I AM writing to you and your readers to encourage everyone in the North West to have a clear-out and donate any unwanted items to their local British Heart Foundation (BHF) Furniture & Electrical store.

I have been an advocate of BHF Furniture & Electrical stores for a long time and think their free collection service for donations is fab!

Like everyone, I love buying new things for my home but I also love adding a piece of recycled furniture into the mix.

As an interiors columnist, I like to source furniture from a wide variety of places, including BHF stores. It’s amazing to think that by doing up your home with items from BHF stores, you are also helping to fund lifesaving research into heart disease, which affects people of all ages.

The BHF now has over 170 dedicated Furniture & Electrical stores selling a range of items, from sofas, beds and dining tables to wardrobes, TVs and toasters.

The stores are ideal for anyone looking for unique, good quality items on a budget, with sofas priced from £95, beds from £65 and washing machines from £60.

BHF Furniture & Electrical stores in the North West are always looking for donations of unwanted household goods – anything from sofas, beds, wardrobes, TVs and small electricals.

You can even book a free collection for your items online at bhf.org.uk/free or call 0800 915 3000. Visit bhf.org.uk/shops to find your local store.

For those who are unable to donate, but would like to help in some other way, BHF Furniture & Electrical stores in the North West are always in need of volunteers. Just pop into your local store or call 0800 915 3000 to find out how you can help. For more information on volunteering opportunities visit bhf.org.uk/volunteer

Andrea McLean, TV presenter, interiors columnist and face of BHF Furniture & Electrical stores