Birstall boutique charity store celebrates funding 300 lifesaving missions

Your local air ambulance boutique charity store in Birstall is celebrating funding 300 lifesaving missions for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA), as the charity celebrates 15 years of vital service.

The boutique charity store opened its doors on 07 November 2017 and is situated in Birstall, Leicestershire down the road from the beautiful Watermead Country Park. Over the past six years the charity store has generated £511,239.00, funding 300 lifesaving missions – ensuring the charity can continue saving lives in Leicestershire and further afield.

The store has received 48,574 bags of donated goods but continues to require support from the local community with further donations of new and preloved items, as these provide vital income for the charity.

Within minutes, DLRAA’s critical care crews can be on the ground delivering pre-hospital emergency care and giving patients the very best chance of survival – this vital service relies entirely on donations to raise the £1,700 needed for each rescue mission, as the charity receives no government or National Lottery funding.

Store Manager Paula Green said: “We would like to thank everyone in the local community for their support over the last six years. Without this support the lifesaving missions in Leicestershire and further afield wouldn’t be possible.”

“We still rely on the local community’s support with donations of pre-loved items such as bric-a-brac, clothing and toys to keep our crews flying 24/7, 365 days per year,” she added.

The charity is celebrating 50,000 missions and its 15^th anniversary of providing its lifesaving service across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland in 2023 and is encouraging people to visit a charity store and grab a bargain, donate unwanted clothing to one of many clothing banks, get involved in a challenge event, fundraise, or even sign up to volunteer.

For more information, please visit: www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999.