Chuggers collection boxes

THE Canal & River Trust (CaRT) is asking the public to choose a charity collection box for the use of its street collection people.

There are some classic designs in use, perhaps the RNLI's lifeboat being the most well known, used by collector, that  are widely known as chuggers—charitable muggers.

Design students

CaRT has contacted  design students in the country to come up with iconic designs for a collection box, resulting in three designs being short-listed, that will be used at the Anderton Boat Lift in Cheshire, allowing visitors to decide the winner by virtue of the one which raises the most money.

Ruth Ruderham, Head of Fundraising explained:

"A good collection box attracts attention and finds its way into people's hearts and minds. From spiral wishing wells to the WWF's pandas, everyone has a memory of their favourite, and putting in their pennies and pounds accordingly. In recent years, however, collection tins have fallen out of fashion in favour of on-line donations and the soulless bucket.

"While internet sites such as Just Giving are now commonplace, it can be easy to overlook the collection box. However, in a difficult time for charitable giving, cash donations remain very important, with over half of all donors giving coins or notes. Putting a pound in a collection box is one of the simplest ways to give, and the Trust's project aims to re-establish the humble tin's pride of place alongside the many ways of donating available to people today."

The designs include: a ‘quacking' design (literally) by Joshua Keogh; a collection box crowned with waterway-inspired knots by Joseph Ewusie; a moving water wheel created by Saffie Pluck.