SIR – I am writing to thank you and your readers for all of the support British Heart Foundation Shops have received as part of The BIG Donation – the UK’s biggest-ever stock appeal.

In September, BHF Shops launched the appeal in a bid to raise 350,000 bags of good-quality stock, the equivalent of £7m in donations in 30 days.

To our delight, we have been overwhelmed with support. Thousands of people, including celebrities such as Alan Carr and Jonathan Ross, joined together to help replenish stock in BHF Shops.

BHF Shops need your continued support. Over the last year, we have seen a 20 per cent drop in donations despite being busier than ever.

Stock really is the lifeblood of our shops, without it, we cannot survive and continue to generate millions towards the fight against heart disease, the UK’s single biggest killer.

We urge everyone to continue to donate the books they are not going to read or the clothes they will no longer wear to their local BHF Shop or book a free online collection for furniture and electrical items at bhf.org.uk/shops.

Diane Locke, acting chief executive, BHF Shops