Children’s Air Ambulance superstore cleared for landing

The Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA) has unveiled ambitious plans to transform a former Poundland unit in Sheffield into a charity superstore which will raise vital funds for the lifesaving service.

The charity, which works alongside 11 NHS teams -including The Embrace Yorkshire & Humber Infant & Children’s Transport Service (Embrace), part of Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundations Trust – to provide high-speed, specialist clinical transfers for critically ill babies and children is due to “land” in a Sheffield retail park in February 2023, after securing the lease.

The Kilner Way Retail Park unit will undergo a substantial transformation in the new year turning the 7,000 sq ft space into The Hanger superstore selling both new and pre-loved homeware, furniture, clothing, electricals, living and brand-new white goods.

The success of the store is vital as the Children’s Air Ambulance receives no government funding and relies solely on donations from the public and retail income to keep saving lives. This will be the second TCAA superstore, after the children’s charity’s flagship store opened in Doncaster in 2019.

“Shopping in a charity shop is experience shopping,” explained New TCAA Head of Retail Hannah Coventry. “Customers love the thrill of not knowing what they will find, and we want to make that experience last longer by offering a wider choice in a fantastic and friendly environment.

“This superstore should help us attract more footfall to drive that essential income to keep our service saving young lives. It should also provide a real benefit to the existing retail units within the park as their customers can visit once they have finished shopping for a bargain browse or to drop off donations.”

The charity also is due to open a donation station to make it quick and easy for people to drop off donations and, once drivers are in place, the retail team will offer a free furniture donation collection.

This great announcement coincides with the charity’s 10th anniversary of lifesaving high-speed transfers as well as the onboarding of the new AgustaWestland 169 helicopter with a bespoke interior solution, ensuring the best clinical outcomes are achieved by the national charity.

Work is currently underway to get the store ready for a February opening and new jobs will be created as well as many volunteering opportunities.

To learn more about the volunteering opportunities, please click here.