House to house collectors guidelines

Collection guidelines

When organising your collection you need to ensure that:

  • Every collector wears a standard badge and carries a certificate of authority, both obtained from Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO)
  • Collectors produce their badge on demand to the occupant of any house or to any police officer
  • If collection boxes are used, they are sealed and consecutively numbered
  • If money or goods are collected by another means, a receipt is issued to the donator and the donation entered in a receipt book
  • Collectors do not cause annoyance or nuisance to occupants
  • Collectors are not under 16 years old

After a collection:

  • Collecting tins should be opened in the presence of a promoter and a witness, or, if unopened, delivered to a bank to be opened and counted by an official
  • When opened, the contents of each tin should be entered on a list and certified by those present
  • A return must be made to the council showing the total amount of monies collected, amounts from each tin and a list of collectors
  • All certificates of authorities and badges must be destroyed at the end of the collection period
  • At least 85 per cent of collected funds must be donated to the named charity - a maximum of 15 per cent can go towards expenses
  • No promoter or anyone associated with the collection can receive payment from the collection unless approved by the council

Last updated: ‎‎19‎/‎07‎/‎2023‎ ‎09‎:‎33‎