Lifesaving air ambulance closes Leicestershire charity superstore

Your local air ambulance is encouraging loyal Leicestershire shoppers to continue supporting the lifesaving service after it must close the doors to its charity superstore – The Hanger- in Beaumont Leys.

The Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) delivers lifesaving, critical care to wherever it’s needed most across the county and is funded solely by donations and through its network of retail shops.

Since July 2021, the charity has enjoyed strong support at Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre, where it took over a former Next unit, but the lease agreement will end on Sunday 29 May.

“We’d like to thank our loyal customers for their support at our Beaumont Leys store,” said Head of Retail for the charity Gemma Ingram. “Although we have had to close this store there are many other ways in which shoppers can continue to support our charity.”

“We have stores throughout Leicestershire including sites at Wigston, Hinckley, Market Harborough, Birstall and Blaby, and people can still support the charity through shopping or donating via the website,” Gemma added.

The charity receives no funding from the government or National Lottery for its missions and relies entirely on voluntary donations to raise the average cost of £1,700 needed for every mission.

Since the store opened total sales have generated over £285,000 which equates to nearly 170 potentially lifesaving missions. It has also received nearly 37,000 bags of donated goods.

The superstore shuts its doors on Sunday 29 May and has an “everything must go” closing down sale. The store has already had to close its donation station, so is no longer accepting drop-off donations.

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