Increasing numbers of people are selling online to try and beat the financial squeeze.

A little can go a long way and for those strapped for cash in the aftermath of the recession, recycling items online is one way of helping to ease the financial burden.

Research has shown more than 80 per cent of people have sold things online in the last year and one in five have done so in the last month alone, yet ten years ago only around 40 per cent of us considered selling things online compared with 77 per cent today.

Millions of us hoard items such as CDs, DVDs and clothes, yet we could be missing out on making money by selling them. There is also a more philanthropic way of using technology to recycle and raise cash for charities and other causes in the process.

Enterprising nine-year-old George Murgatroyd, from Ilkley, sold his old CDs and DVDs through an online site to raise funds for the children’s heart unit at Leeds General Infirmary where he underwent open heart surgery to correct a hole in his heart.

“George wasn’t interested in keeping the money himself. He wanted to give the money to charity because he knew it would help people,” says George’s mum Gillian, who runs I Love Vera selling handmade items produced by local crafters in Leeds Road, Ilkley.

Vera Scanlon, from Bradford, runs the online site Freegle, helping people pass on their unwanted goods to those in need for free.

The aim of the website is to recycle and, ultimately, to make further use of items instead of them going to landfill.

While Vera has noticed an increasing number of people using the website, which she believes may be prompted by people’s financial struggles, she is also aware that some are selling items on.

Vera explains that as long as both parties are aware of the intention, she is happy with it. Her aim is to ensure items are re-used and don’t end up as rubbish.

“It is about goodwill and that is what I try to foster on the site,” says Vera. “I think it is increasing because of what they call austerity measures.”

Consequently, the growth in people recycling their goods online has a potential impact on charity shops who rely on donations to boost funds for the causes they support.

A spokesman for the British Heart Foundation, which has several shops around Bradford district, says they have recognised the huge demand for buying and selling online.

“All donations that come into our shops are sorted and priced by our staff and volunteers, they quickly recognise high value or quirky items and list them on the BHF eBay site. This helps us raise as much money as possible to fight heart disease. Visit ebay.co.uk/bhf to see what items we have on offer,” he says.

To sell recycled items to raise cash, the charity needs donations.

“We encourage everyone to donate their unwanted items to British Heart Foundation shops, as every penny of profit raised helps in the fight against heart disease.

“Heart disease is still the UK’s single biggest killer with 2.3 million people currently living with the devastating effects. Last year, our shops raised £31 million in the fight against heart disease, so your unwanted clothes, bags, shoes, TVs and beds make a huge difference.

“We have several shops and furniture and electrical stores around the Bradford area that are in need of stock.

“To make it even easier to donate, we offer a free collection service. To arrange a collection, call 0800 915 3000, or to donate larger furniture or electrical items, you can also visit bhf.org.uk/free.”

Netmums founder Siobhan Freegard says: “With the rising cost of living, selling online has become mums’ last defence in the battle to pay the bills.

“It’s easy, convenient and can be done from home to fit in around the family, so it’s of no surprise that a recent Netmums study found three in five mothers are selling more online than this time last year.

“One mum’s junk is another’s treasure and there is a roaring trade in families selling on old clothes, shoes, books and toys – making having children more affordable for both buyers and sellers. And with sites like eBay offering options to make charity donations as you trade, it's a chance for mums to do good as they make money.

“So while most mums use online selling as a stop gap to make a few extra pounds, some have become so successful that they’ve launched new businesses and even become the main breadwinner. With success stories like these, the trend is set to continue and grow."