What happens to all the tents, bags and buggies we leave behind at festivals, airports and train stations—and how do charities turn them into something good?

This week, Tim and Piers rummage through the weird and wonderful world of lost property. From Glastonbury tents upcycled into fashion to TfL’s forgotten baby buggies finding new homes, we explore how abandoned items aren’t always waste—they can become shelter, fundraising, or even a brand-new coat.

Expect stories of salvaged camping gear, airport mystery suitcase auctions, charity donations from the London Underground, and a stuffed dog called De Rover. Proof that even the things we lose can create wins for the people who need them most.

Useful Links:

⛺ Emmaus Hertfordshire – Supporting people experiencing homelessness🛟 Hearts for Refugees – Redirecting tents and supplies to displaced people👕 Ritri Clothing – Festival tents reborn as sustainable fashion🍲 Feeding Families – Community food support in the North East🚇 TfL Lost Property – Where your lost items end up👶 Little Village – Baby bank supporting families across London

Chapters:

(00:00 ) Intro – The charity world of lost property(00:30 ) Abandoned tents at festivals put to good use(01:20 ) Ritri Clothing: Upcycling tents into fashion(02:30 ) Reading Festival’s 71 tons of waste salvaged for food banks and shelters(03:40 ) Airport mystery auctions: treasure or trash?(05:30 ) TfL’s lost property – £2m for charity plus some odd finds(06:45 ) Baby buggies, books and toys donated to Little Village(07:20 ) Sunderland Metro auctions: guitars, pogo sticks and bunk bed ladders(08:30 ) Personal stories of things lost and found(09:20 ) Closing thoughts – why losing something might still do some good

Get Involved:

📍 Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform📧 Got a lost property story—or has your charity benefited from one? Email us at thecharityshowpod@gmail.com🔗 Find every link you need: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⭐ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show!

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