Submitted by Grainne Kennedy on Wed, 2017-12-20 11:04
Written by Katrina Holmes of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Would you like to help save one of our precious birds? Well you can, just by saving the stamps from your Christmas cards.
The albatross is a beautiful bird that lives in the Southern oceans around Australia and South Africa. These birds are in danger of extinction because of the impact of certain fishing methods.
The method in question is when fishermen seeking tuna and other fish use ‘longlines’ which are up to 80 metres long with thousands of hooks on each line. The birds are attracted to the bait on the hooks, get caught on them, are dragged under the water and drown.
It is estimated that 100,000 albatrosses are killed in this way every year but the RSPB are doing their best to turn the tide.
You can help by sending all of your used stamps to the RSPB and they will then sell them to a dealer. Stamp albums, first day covers and rare stamps (pre1970) will be sent to an auction house. This money is spent in a variety of ways, e.g.
- Each £1 raised could purchase a weight to sink the lines and reduce danger to the birds.
- £200 will buy a pair of bird-scare lines to keep Albatrosses away from trawlers.
- £5000 will purchase net lights for the trawler to prevent turtle and seabird bycatch.
If you would like to make a collection in your office, the RSPB will provide a used stamp collection box and some stickers. Just send your email and address details to – CommunityMarketing@rspb.org.uk indicating that you’d like to request a used stamp collection kit. Obstetrics and Gynaecology have just taken delivery of a stamp collection box from the RSPB and are happy to take donations from other departments as it’s going to take us rather a long time to fill it!
This is the address of a stamp warehouse, so please don’t send any non-stamp related correspondence or donations here.
First day covers, stamp albums or rare stamps should be sent to: Save the Albatross Stamp Appeal (Special Stamps and Albums), The RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Beds, SG19 2DL. Please do not send loose stamps here.
There is also an option to take large numbers of stamps to one of your local nature reserves. It’s best to contact the reserve in advance to confirm that they are able to accept your stamps.
Just think! The festive season is now approaching; you’ll receive many greetings cards through the post which you can use to save the lives of one of our most beautiful sea birds.
Recycling your stamps is the best way to make the most of your Christmas post!