An Eden village hall is hosting a Freegle Give and Take event this weekend.
People are urged to bring along unwanted items to the event at Newbiggin Village Hall, near Stainton, on Saturday so those with a need for them can take them home.
“Getting something for nothing while also doing your bit for the planet is a great feeling,” said Chris Cant, of Penrith and Eden Freegle.
“Many people have perfectly good items that they don’t want to throw away. It’s lovely to hand things on to someone who will put them to good use.”
The event aims to keep useful goods from going to waste, as well as reducing the amount of new goods that people need to buy.
It’s part of efforts to reduce Cumbria’s carbon footprint and is run in partnership with Penrith Action for Community Transition and supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, as part of the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership’s ambitious emission reduction programme to make Cumbria carbon neutral by 2037.
“The goods we buy make up a big chunk of the average person’s carbon footprint, because of the emissions caused by making and transporting the products to us,” Chris said.
“Finding a new home for things you don’t need, looking for goods second hand instead of buying new ones, re-using and repairing things are all great ways to play your part in tackling climate change.
“Weather permitting, we’ll have some of the goods on tables outside in the large car park. We’re asking everyone who can to wear face coverings indoors.
“We’ll also be taking contact details so that we can reach people afterwards if we’re informed about any COVID presence at the event.
“Small goods from the house, garden, garage or shed are all welcome but we just ask that they are no bigger than a microwave oven, as our volunteers can’t transport large items that don’t find a new home at the event.”
On March 12, a free seed and gardening tool swap will take place at Penrith Repair Café.
