Charity home stores set to reopen

Preparations are being made for the reopening of  Your Local Air Ambulance and Children’s Air Ambulance charity home stores – subject to Government guidelines – on Monday 1st June.

Operated by The Air Ambulance Service, the eight home stores are a popular shopping destination for people in the local communities.

Income from these stores enables the charity to operate and support NHS partners working on the frontline.

During the current Covid-19 crisis the charity has continued to provide vital critical care services and is attending missions 24/7 throughout this difficult period.

Store manager Scott Bannister has a message for existing and new customers:

“It is safe to shop and donate. We look forward to welcoming you to the home stores. Please come along and help save lives by supporting our cause”.

Due to the Covid-19 crisis, the charity is facing a projected net loss of income of at least £2.18million for the months April to June. It has also had to spend £22,000 on installing screens, hand sanitiser stations, social distancing signage and other health and safety measures in its network of shops.

“The safety of our customers, volunteers and staff is our priority. We had fantastic support from the local communities before the lockdown, and I thank them for that. My hope now is that it will continue when we reopen.”

“I am looking forward to welcoming back customers and ask that they follow in-store safety measures which will be clearly signposted.

“Anyone with extra time on their hands, due to the Covid-19 crisis, who wants to volunteer at our stores please get in touch – there are plenty of jobs for you to do and we would really appreciate your help,” says Scott.

All payments will be card and collection and delivery services will be operated within social distancing guidelines with one driver only in a vehicle. This will limit the type and size of items that can be handled.

Donations will only be collected from outside properties and should be left in a garden or on a driveway.  Any changes to these arrangements will be advertised on the charity’s website.

A list of home stores opening on 1st June:

Burton-on-Trent: Monday – Saturday 09:30 – 16:30 & 10:00 – 16:00 Sunday

Daventry: Monday – Saturday 09:30 – 16:30 & 10:00 – 16:00 Sunday

Newark: Monday – Saturday 09:30 – 16:30 & 10:00 – 16:00 Sunday

Oakham: Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 16:00

Rugeley: Monday – Saturday 09:30 – 16:30 & 10:00 – 16:00 Sunday

Wellingborough: Monday – Saturday 09:30 – 16:30 & 10:00 – 16:00 Sunday

Wigston: Monday – Saturday 09:30 – 16:30 & 10:00 – 16:00 Sunday

Doncaster Superstore: Monday – Saturday 9:30 – 17:00 & 10:00 – 16:00 Sunday

Alfreton Superstore will open from the 4th June, Monday – Saturday 9:30 – 17:00 & 10:00 – 16:00 Sunday

Updates for customers will be posted on the stores’ social media channels.