Outdoor clothing and equipment retailer Millets has teamed up with Christian development agency World Emergency Relief to launch a new tent exchange scheme to help people in need of shelter overseas.

For the thousands of people thinking of buying a new tent this summer, there is no need to throw out the old one. Instead they can take it with them to their local Millets store and donate it to WER, who will use them to provide shelter for poor children across the world.

In addition Millets will also give participants 20 per cent off the price of a new tent or the option to donate this saving to WER, regardless of the old tent’s condition.

Millet’s Tent Exchange launched on Friday and will run until the end of September. The retailer is expecting to receive thousands of old tents through the scheme.

WER said old tents could help to save the lives of a child by providing protection from harsh weather conditions over a critical period.

The tents will be sent to families in south Sudan who are returning to their homes after being displaced by a 20 year long conflict, communities in the Congo fleeing the rebel forces who have attacked their villages, and areas affected by natural disasters.

WER has already used tents to save lives following the Pakistani earthquakes, the Asian Boxing Day tsunami and the Burma cyclone.

“We are thrilled that this partnership will help save lives and provide shelter for those in need,” said WER Chief Executive Alex Haxton. “This tent exchange reflects the best of Christian principles and values. Those of providing for the less fortunate and ensuring that we are always mindful of the impact of our actions on our brothers and sisters across the world.