If you have an old mobile phone sitting in a drawer doing nothing, this is the chance to give it a new lease of life.

To raise money for Children in Need we're collecting old phones to be reused or recycled.

Research shows that mobile phones are typically used for around 18 months before being replaced.

By 2005 about 100 million phones will be retired in Europe alone. A lot end up in cupboards and drawers, or in the bin.

Andrew Holland from the CSV action desk with one of the old phones

However there is an alternative to ditching or storing your old phone. BBC North Yorkshire, along with the CSV Action Desk have set up recycling points.

There are a number of benefits to recycling rather than simply throwing the phones away with the rubbish, as you might have done in normal circumstances.

Community Journalist Katy "I'M ON THE PHONE" Wright with a late 80s vintage

Local charities benefit! They can receive cash for mobiles phones that are recycled, so not only can we help the environment but we can make sure that the people who need help benefit the most from this scheme.

Phones can be reused! Reusing some of the old mobile phones is possible. People in the developing world can use them as a first-time, affordable method of communication.

Recycling the bricks! If the phones cannot be reused, they are recycled for their components which is a great way to save energy - and ultimately help the environment.

Unloved and unwanted, but this little fella can have a future with us

We're supporting BBC Children in Need. Every mobile that can be reused will earn us cash, every penny of which will go directly to the charity itself!

We've already collected dozens of phones ranging from huge analogue monsters, to much more up to date GSM digital handsets. But we need more.

So if you've got an old phone sitting unloved and unused in your cupboard then pay a visit to one of the following collection points and drop it in:

Collection points:

• BBC Radio York studios in York and Scarborough
  
• The Link stores in York and Scarborough
• Phones are also being collected on the Discovery Bus. Listen to Radio York to find out where the bus is going to be.

Also if you have a phone even older and larger than one of these then we want to hear from you:

Get in touch by e-mail: northyorkshire@bbc.co.uk and if you have a digital camera, send us a picture of your mobile monstrosity