Children's charity in plea for old mobile phones

A children’s charity launched a campaign today calling for people to donate 100,000 old and unwanted mobile phones for recycling to aid young people with severe development problems.

The Jack and Jill Foundation said every phone collected would help it raise money to care for babies born with, or that develop, problems, including cerebral palsy.

Financial consultant Eddie Hobbs urged people to donate mobile phones lying idle in drawers and boxes.

“We would like to ask people to have a look around their homes and to ask their family, friends and colleagues to do the same, as every phone collected has a financial value to Jack and Jill.

“We’re not asking for your money, but for something many of us have and no longer need – old mobile phones,” Mr Hobbs, who has donated all author royalties from the sale of his personal financial advice book ‘Short Hands, Long Pockets’ to the charity, said.

Around 15 million mobile phones in Ireland are believed to be unused and unwanted. But figures show only one in 25 are recycled.

Jonathan Irwin, chief executive of the foundation, said phones could be donated by calling 1850 525 545 to request a freepost recycling envelope. People who have more than 15 phones to donate can request a free courier collection.

“Turning waste into money, is some smart trick especially if it turns into a paediatric nurse,” he said.

“The work we undertake has a real and positive impact on the children we care for and the families we support, and every euro we raise helps us continue this work.

“If you have an old mobile phone you no longer need please do give the freephone number a call, as your donation can really make a difference.”

The phones which are still usable are shipped to developing countries for reuse, while damaged phones are stripped down to individual parts and recycled.

Faulty batteries are sent to a processing plant in France to be safely disposed of.

Mr Irwin said: “In good condition or not broken, the mobile phones are worth €7 to €10 to us. They are worth serious money to us.”

The foundation works to aid the families of babies with severe developmental problems, such as cerebral palsy, which can require 24-hour care that is not covered by most insurance schemes. The charity provides the home respite service during the first four years of the child’s life.

The charity, which has 226 children currently registered with it for care, spends €75,000 a month or €1.6m a year providing nine paediatric nurses to aid families.

Since the charity began in 1997 it has looked after nearly 700 children.