Leicestershire charity store celebrates funding over 800 lifesaving missions

Your local air ambulance charity boutique store based in Wigston is celebrating funding more than 800 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 08 July 2011 and is situated in the heart of the town centre, with the charity’s Wigston Homeware Store only a two minute walk away. Over the past twelve years the store has generated an incredible £1,390,465 worth of sales for the charity – funding more than 800 lifesaving missions throughout Leicestershire and further afield.

The store has also received 71,482 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.

Sheree Jones, Retail Area Manager said: “We would like to thank everyone in the local community for their support over the past twelve years. Without their donations and support, the charity wouldn’t be able to continue their lifesaving missions across Leicestershire.”

“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 its 15^th anniversary of providing its lifesaving service across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland in 2023, and is encouraging people to show their support by attending DLRAA’s Open Day on 30 July at Leicester Racecourse.

For more information, please visit: www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999.