NEWSQUEST, which publishes the St Albans and Harpenden Observers, has raised £490 for the British Red Cross after recycling 160 old mobile phones used by its staff.

The cheque was presented by Mr Peter Fautley, Newsquest's telecommunications manager, to Mr John Tough, head of retail for the British Red Cross.

The presentation was made at the British Red Cross headquarters in London.

Along with the cheque Newsquest also presented 70 mobile phones towards the British Red Cross mobile phones recycling scheme.

Mr Fautley said: "These mobile phones would probably have been thrown away, but by recycling them we have been able to support the valuable work the British Red Cross undertakes."

Mr Tough, who runs the mobile phone scheme for the British Red Cross said: "We are delighted to receive this cheque and these mobile phones, which will help us continue to help vulnerable people in the UK and overseas."

The British Red Cross mobile phone scheme is run through its 400 shops across the UK.

Mr Tough said: "If people bring their old mobile phone and charger into one of our shops it can be worth up to £10 to the Red Cross.

"Not only can your old mobile phone raise valuable funds for the Red Cross but it is also environmentally friendly to recycle it."

The Newsquest donation will be used to continue the work of the British Red Cross in the UK.

Thousands of vulnerable people are helped each year through a range of services.

These services range from first aid cover at public events to projects to empower young people and a tracing service for families separated by war or natural disaster.

The charity also responds to emergencies, globally and domestically, such as the Potters Bar rail crash, or disasters such as floods and house fires.

August 20, 2002 14:30