The UK Post Office© is urging people to stop collecting unwanted foreign coins and instead donate the change to Barnardo’s children’s charity, an organization that directly helps more than 100,000 children, young people and their families every year.
About $784 million (£510 million) in foreign coins is languishing in UK homes, with each adult hanging on to an average of $17 in unwanted coins, the Post Office estimates.
It adds that more than a quarter of British travelers say they hang on to foreign currency when returning from a trip.
"We’ve all come home from holiday and put any left-over coins in a drawer and forgotten about them. But we’re inviting people to think about what better use they can put that cash to," said Helen Warburton, Post Office head of travel services.
"By bringing all the unwanted currency together, people can make a huge difference to the lives of some of the UK’s most vulnerable children. And it’s not restricted to coins – customers can also donate unwanted foreign notes and even sterling if they so wish," urged Warburton.
The public can drop their foreign coins into special Barnardo’s collection boxes found at more than 750 UK Post Office branches.
About Post Office® Travel Services
The Post Office is the largest bureau de change provider in the UK, offering over 72 different currencies with 0% commission on all foreign currency and travelers’ checks. The Post Office was voted best foreign exchange provider for the second year in a row at the 2008 British Travel Awards, and best travel insurer for the third concurrent year.
