Air Ambulance Stores to Close Temporarily

With the health, safety and wellbeing of customers, volunteers and staff being our highest priority, and in order to follow Government advice around preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, it has been decided to temporarily close all charity shops operated by The Air Ambulance Service.

“These are unprecedented times and this decision hasn’t been taken lightly but as an organisation we must do the right thing by the communities in which we serve, live and work,” explained CEO Andy Williamson.

The Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA) London stores at Archway, Barnet, Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Stoke Newington will temporarily shut at close of business today (19 March) while all other TCAA stores and all stores across the regional Warwickshire & Northamptonshire and Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance services will close on Sunday 22 March until further notice.

The temporary closures will be for an initial two-week period but will remain under review in line with future Government advice.

The charity has also taken the decision to temporarily suspend its door-to-door lottery canvassing as well as its door-to-door reuse collections. These will cease on Sunday 22 March for an initial two-week period and will be regularly reviewed in line with advice from Government.

Both reuse bag delivery and bag collections are paused until further notice but clothing banks are still in use and the charity will attempt to reach as many banks as possible over the coming weeks running a limited service until further notice. To find your nearest bank please visit: https://theairambulanceservice.org.uk/ways-to-give/reuse-recycle/

While shops are closed people are asked not to leave donations outside the buildings. If people are able to keep hold of items until the stores reopen it would be much appreciated and they will help to keep our lifesaving service operational in the future.

People can still continue to support the healthcare charity, which provides vital, critical care support to the NHS and receives no government funding, and should visit www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk for further information.

To sign up to our lottery please visit Dual page – https://theairambulanceservice.org.uk/ways-to-give/our-lottery/

To visit the charity’s online store visit: https://theairambulanceservice.org.uk/shops/online/

“We would like to thank all of our supporters for their co-operation and understanding in these difficult times and for continuing to support our charity,” said Andy.