Waste in Worthing repurposed for good
Donor: Willsmer Wagg
Location: Worthing, Sussex
What was donated?
216 ceramic mugs
150 pairs of socks
90 T-shirts
88 high-quality soft-shell jackets
50 aluminium water bottles
72 charging cables
100 pairs of Christmas socks
Sector: branded merchandise
Charities that benefitted:
Willsmer Wagg, a Sussex-based branded merchandise company and paying supporter of A Good Thing, has previously donated items such as Rubik’s cubes and gift boxes through the platform. On this occasion, the company gave away hundreds of pieces of brand-new, high-quality branded merchandise that was not needed, including mugs, socks, T-shirts, jackets, water bottles and charging cables.
The items were successfully distributed across six brilliant charities across the south of England, giving them a new life and a meaningful purpose while supporting the communities that needed them most.
Bottles that gave back
Aluminium water bottles went on to become part of gift packs for young people supported by The Sid Youth in Worthing. Used within the charity’s ‘Holiday Activities and Food’ programme, the bottles were included in gifts for families in receipt of free school meals.
As Paul Read, Director and Programme Lead at The Sid Youth, explained, the A Good Thing platform made the process simple and stress‑free:
“It was very easy to use the service and it was great that we knew we had been chosen quickly. We were able to collect the bottles without any hassle and then added them to some gifts to young people that we support. Every year we look to provide gifts, and this year we did not have much of a budget – so the water bottles were a nice addition.”
Items to help the homeless
Cosy soft-shell jackets found a second life supporting people facing homelessness in the Worthing area at Turning Tides Homelessness. Alongside this, over 200 ceramic mugs became part of daily life within the charity’s donations hub and supported accommodation, helping to build stock levels and provide familiar, comforting items that are often taken for granted.
Amelia Rushton from Turning Tides told us:
“The items we were able to acquire will go directly to clients at Turning Tides. Jackets are of incredible importance at this time of year, when the weather poses its own challenges for those without a home. The mugs continue to grow stock levels at the donations hub, and are a staple in our supported accommodation.”
Amelia also highlighted the wider impact of receiving high-quality items via A Good Thing:
“Our people will feel valued, considered and cared for, as we are able to give them quality items that restore a sense of dignity and wellbeing.”
Converting surplus into community benefit
Some of the donated mugs went to 4Sight Vision Support, a Bognor charity providing practical and emotional support to people with sight loss. These items will help support the charity’s day-to-day services, promoting independence and improving quality of life for those they support.
Willsmer Wagg’s socks and charging cables were matched with the Broadwater Support Group, a community hub in Worthing providing pantry services, uniform exchange and support to 560 local households. These items helped the families and individuals who rely on the hub for essential resources.
Willsmer Wagg’s T-shirts were sent to the Merlin MS Centre, a small neurological charity in Cornwall providing therapies to adults and children living with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. The T-shirts went into the Centre’s charity shop, raising funds to continue vital therapy services.
The Christmas socks were included in festive hampers distributed by the WH Community Trust in Worthing, a community-based housing association. These items helped bring comfort, warmth and cheer to residents during the festive season.