Exciting launch of a ‘Store of the Future’ to support children’s charity

The Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA) is opening the doors to the ‘Store of the Future’ in West Bridgford on 01 March 2024, which will help to raise vital funds to support the lifesaving missions for critically ill babies and children across the UK.

The construction of the groundbreaking store has been made possible by partnering with an award-winning sustainable contractor, OAK Project Management, an ethical and sustainable engineering, construction and project management company based in Ireland.

OAK Project Management have an in-house team of over 20 people providing end-to-end concepts, planning, organisation and management, ensuring that all projects enhance people’s lives, the community and the environment and are measured against its key objectives that deliver value for money.

The unique store has been created by using locally sourced materials – wooden floors from an old church, second-hand doors, display units were created with salvaged bricks, slip bricks and scaffold planks, as well as the till being made from steel mesh.

“Our team were incredibly excited and honoured to be involved in such an inspirational project to help the children’s charity continue to raise vital funds at their West Bridgford store,” said OAK Project Management.

“We repurposed, reused and recycled many building materials to complete this project, which aligned with our ethos of reimagining use for repurposed materials and we can’t wait to see the groundbreaking store once everything is complete,” they added.

The first of its kind charity store will sell clothing, bric-a-brac, electricals and a dedicated corner for children’s clothing and toys – helping to keep the charity saving more little lives.

Hannah Coventry, Head of Retail for the charity says:

“We are incredibly honoured to be able to open this unique Children’s Air Ambulance store and can’t wait for the local community to experience a brand-new way of charity shopping.”

“OAK has been involved in this project from the very beginning and we can’t thank them enough for their expertise in helping to bring our visions to life, while keeping sustainability at the heart of everything they have done,” she added.

Ambassador for the charity, Charity Shop Girl Jen Graham, is scheduled to open the store on 01 March and says:

“I am honoured to be able to open the ‘Store of the Future’ in West Bridgford and to encourage even more members of the local community to shop second-hand.

“The more we can all donate to the charity shops, the more we can keep those items in circulation, whether that’s bric-a-brac, fashion, or accessories – together we are keeping the items out of landfill and in turn supporting a deserving charity with vital funds.”

“The charity receives no government or National Lottery funding for their lifesaving missions and every item purchased in their stores will go towards helping to save the lives of critically ill babies and children across the UK,” added Jen.

The Children’s Air Ambulance operates nineteen stores around the country and this first-of its kind venture elevates charity shopping to a new level.

The public are encouraged to attend the grand opening on 01 March 2024, as the charity unveils a store like never before.

To learn more, or to support the charity, please visit: www.childrensairambulance.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999.