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Charity shops welcome shoppers back with special festive promotion
Staff and volunteers at The Air Ambulance Service are urging people to show their support for the lifesaving charity by visiting one of their shops when they re-open their doors following the latest national lockdown.
The boutique, home and superstores will be open and safe from Wednesday 2 December and are desperate to welcome customers once again to help soften the financial blow felt by the charity this year.
The enforced closure of The Air Ambulance Service stores has seen the charity, which operates the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance, Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, and national Children’s Air Ambulance, lose over £2million in income.
And to help welcome supporters back, shoppers are being offered a special festive promotion which coincides with the retail network’s 10th anniversary.
For just £10, shoppers can fill a limited-edition Retail 10th Anniversary bag with up to 15 items at any of the charity’s your local air ambulance or Children’s Air Ambulance stores. The bags cost £1 and can be bought online ready for when the shops open (subject to Terms and Conditions).
“We’ve missed our customers and want to welcome them back to our stores by giving them something special,” explained Head of Retail Gemma Ingram. “We’re selling a limited number of shopping bags ready for when our stores re-open. Purchase one now and pop into any of our charity shops to fill it for only £10. From books, to clothes to kids toys you can have your pick of some of the amazing items we have in store.”
Despite the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic to date, the charity has continued to provide vital frontline support to the NHS through the attending an average of 10, potentially lifesaving, missions every day throughout the crisis.
“The pandemic has had a significant effect on so many including our own lifesaving charity. We were facing a projected net loss of income of at least £2.2million for the initial lockdown and now, on top of that, we have had to shut shops during second lockdown,” explained Gemma.
She adds: “As a charity, our mission is clear – to continue to provide critical care and lifesaving support to the NHS – but in order to do this we need the support of people within our communities now more than ever before.
“Our stores are full of amazing pre-loved and new items which will make perfect Christmas presents for all ages. I urge people to support the charity in the run up to Christmas, buy your gifts from us and help save lives as our crews will be working 24/7 throughout the holidays.”
Shoppers have until 13 December to take advantage of the Fill A Bag for £10 offer.
Not only are shops re-opening, but on 2 December, The Air Ambulance Service will also be opening a new Donation Station in Daventry, Northamptonshire, where the public are encouraged to drop off their donations of textiles, IT equipment (non-hazardous) and bric-a-brac.
The charity will be operating this service outside its Daventry Warehouse – Unit B, West March Industrial Estate – from 10am-2pm, Monday to Friday.
The charity’s other donation stations and banks will also be open to receive donations of people’s pre-loved items. To find your nearest bank please click here.