A Wolverhampton-based regeneration partnership is making the most of out-of-date equipment, exchanging disused copper tanks for cash and donating the proceeds to charity.

Midland Heart has paired up with social housing maintenance provider, Mears, to raise more than £3,500 by facilitating the removal of several tanks from Phoenix Rise in Blakenhall Gardens, and recycling the materials with a local metal merchant.

The funds raised have been donated to The Footprints Foundation, and Midlands-based FareShare, both of which aim to tackle issues facing disadvantaged or vulnerable people.

The removal of the tanks forms part of a decommissioning strategy for the building, which is marked for demolition as part of a regeneration programme by Wolverhampton City Council.

Rob Tuckley, maintenance team leader at Midland Heart, said: “The re-use of existing materials is an important part of the work whenever we are on site, but raising valuable funds in support of key charities is good news all round and is an extra incentive, which makes very dirty work particularly rewarding.”

The tanks will be melted down and reused in electrical or plumbing applications.

Chris Thacker, partnering manager at Mears, agreed: “Recycling these tanks sets the tone for our work in regenerating this area.

“We have close links with The Footprints Foundation through our chairman, Bob Holt, and are very proud to be able to help support two very worthy causes just by doing our day job.”

FareShare aims to tackle food poverty within the region, redistributing surplus food to organisations working with disadvantaged or vulnerable people.