Cheshire teenager holds book sale to raise vital funds for lifesaving charity

16-year-old Rujula Sawant from Cheshire collected over 300 books, with the help of Rotary club members. These preloved children and adult fiction books were sold at nominal rates (50p and £1 each) to the hospital staff, at The Royal Bolton Hospital, who generously donated money, raising £189.40 to support the lifesaving Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA).

The Children’s Air Ambulance is a national inter-hospital transfer service flying critically ill babies and children from one hospital to another for specialist care.

Rujula was inspired to come up with a way to raise funds to support the Children’s Air Ambulance after her father, who is a doctor at The Royal Bolton Hospital told her all about the charity’s lifesaving work.

Rujula began her fundraising journey by signing up to become a member of #TheCrew – an exciting children’s club linked to the Children’s Air Ambulance, where children can learn about saving lives, helicopters, medicine, fundraising and how a charity works.

It is completely free to join #TheCrew and once signed up members receive a fabulous welcome pack.

Rujula said, “My father, who is a doctor at the hospital, told me all about the Children’s Air Ambulance after hearing about their work at the Rotary Club that he is a member of. This inspired me to join #TheCrew as I wanted to be able to help raise money for such a wonderful cause and allow them to continue their lifesaving work.”

“I’m so delighted that I sold lots of books and raised vital funds doing this and I can’t wait to do it all over again at my next event,” she added.

Youth Development Manager for TCAA, Anoushka Brown said:

“We are so pleased to see our #TheCrew members continuing to raise vital funds to support the lifesaving charity. We would like to thank Rujula for her donation and as the charity receives no government funding, and we rely on dedicated fundraisers just like her to keep the helicopters flying and saving lives.”

The charity is celebrating its 10th anniversary of lifesaving high-speed transfers in 2023. To help mark the momentous milestone the charity is asking for supporters to send in any photos, footage or clippings, or to share their stories to help showcase how well the children’s service has developed over the years into the pioneering transfer service it is today. To get involved please visit www.childrensairambulance.org.uk or call 0300 3047 999.