Derbyshire charity store celebrates funding over 500 lifesaving missions

Your local air ambulance charity boutique store based in Swadlincote is celebrating funding more than 500 missions for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA), as the charity celebrates 15 years of vital service.

The charity store opened its doors on 22 June 2012 in Swadlincote situated in the heart of the town centre. Over the past eleven years the store has generated an incredible £989,090.21 worth of sales for the charity – funding more than 500 lifesaving missions throughout Derbyshire and further afield.

The store has also received 57,339 bags of generously donated goods, which have provided vital income for the charity, but they continue to require the support of the local community for further donations of new and preloved items.

Funding from the charity’s store provides an invaluable source of income for this vital service, relying entirely on donations to raise the £1,700 needed for each rescue mission – as the charity receives no government or National Lottery funding. It keeps the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance crews on the frontline, delivering pre-hospital critical care to those who need it most.

Store Manager, Joanne Groves said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone in the local community for their continued support over the past eleven years. Without their support we wouldn’t be able to continue our lifesaving missions.”

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

The charity is celebrating 15 years of providing lifesaving service across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, developing over the years into the leading provider of pre-hospital critical care it is today. To help the charity mark this momentous milestone and support it so its missions can continue, why not 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.

To get involved please visit: www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999.