A charity is set to make more than £3m from its retail operation this year, despite having to recycle almost 300 tonnes of donations.St Nicholas Hospice Care, which helps terminally ill patients in the west Suffolk and Thetford areas, says it is set to receive a massive 366 tonnes of goods this year, with only 76 tonnes fit for sale in its charity shops.

A charity is set to make more than £3m from its retail operation this year, despite having to recycle almost 300 tonnes of donations.

St Nicholas Hospice Care, which helps terminally ill patients in the west Suffolk and Thetford areas, says it is set to receive a massive 366 tonnes of goods this year, with only 76 tonnes fit for sale in its charity shops.

But officials from the charity yesterday said they were happy to take people's unwanted household items as they could still generate revenue by sending it to local recycling firms.

Simon Dawkins, retail manger, said St Nicholas Hospice Care's eight shops were set to contribute about £3.25m to the charity's £8m running costs this year. He said that many items like furniture, clothes and bric-a-brac have to be sent for recycling because of trading legislation restrictions.

“Due to strict retail laws, items have to reach certain regulations before we can sell them. Any product that doesn't meet standards and that is eligible is recycled instead of being disposed of into landfill sites.”

“Of course we want quality items, but we are realistic and we are grateful for everything we receive because we know it is a difficult time and all charities are struggling for stock,” he said.

All donated goods to the charity are processed at is central warehouse at Moreton Hall, near Bury St Edmunds, with saleable items distributed to shops in Brandon, Bury, Sudbury, Thetford, Mildenhall, Newmarket and Haverhill.