A small charity which has sent out more than £17m worth of goods to people in need around the world has celebrated its five-year anniversary.
Borehamwood-based Goods for Good started up in 2014 in founder Rosalind Bluestone's dining room - and the charity has grown from strength to strength.
A tiny full-time team of two - Mrs Bluestone and Stephanie Rudkin from St Albans, keep the charity going but they are helped by more than 200 volunteers who help to distribute essential items to vulnerable people in need in around 20 countries around the world.
To mark the anniversary, the Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Alan Plancey and the Mayor of Elstree & Borehamwood, Cllr Simon Rubner, were welcomed to Goods for Good home in the town for a celebratory event.
left to right - Cllr Simon Rubner, Rosalind Bluestone, Cllr Caroline Clapper, and Cllr Alan Plancey. Photo: Yakir Zur
They were joined by councillors and volunteers from different interfaith organisations that Mrs Bluestone works with.
Looking back on the past five years, the Goods for Good founder said: "I worked for twelve years for a London-based UK charity previously and travelled to many countries and I was absolutely shocked to see the abject poverty. I was determined to continue this work so set up Goods for Good.
"We are so thrilled to have reached the milestone of our 5th birthday and we’re incredibly grateful to our corporate donors for their ongoing supply of unwanted essential goods, which might otherwise go to landfill. We have ample brand-new goods to send, shoes, bedding and clothing. These goods are delivered by us to vulnerable people no matter what their race or religion is."
left to right: Cllr Rebecca Butler, Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Dan Ozarow, and Cllr Caroline Clapper at the event. Photo: Yakir Zur
Goods for Good is always on the lookout for volunteers and logistic companies to allow its operations to continue.
For more information, email rosalind@goodsforgood.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here