Alfreton charity superstore celebrates over four years of funding lifesaving missions

Your local air ambulance’s charity superstore – The Hanger – and Landing Pad Café in Alfreton, Derbyshire, is celebrating four years of funding lifesaving missions for the local Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA).

Situated in a retail park on Nottingham Road, Somercotes, the charity’s flagship superstore was officially opened by former Derbyshire patient, Pauline Dainty, on 21 February 2019.

Over the past four years, the superstore has generated an astounding £2,869,121.07 worth of sales for the charity and £458,204.23 worth of sales in the café – funding almost 2,000 lifesaving missions throughout Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and further afield.

“If it wasn’t for this service, I wouldn’t be here today. The charity receives no government funding and relies on donations from the local community to remain operational. This superstore is a great place to not only pick up a quality bargain but to also help keep the DLRAA helicopter flying and saving lives as they did mine,” said Pauline.

The Hanger has also received 217,970 bags of donated goods but continues to require support from the local community with further donations of new and preloved items, as these provide vital income for the charity.

The Hanger Manager, Tina Allen said: “We would like to thank each and every one of our supporters for a fantastic four years. Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to continue our lifesaving missions throughout Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland.”

The superstore has a full range of second-hand clothing and furniture as well as new goods, from pet supplies to homeware, electricals and white goods at a fraction of the price of other retailers. Customers and families can visit the Landing Pad Café on site to take a break from browsing and a well-earned rest after securing a bargain to enjoy a hot drink and a slice of cake, with a small play area for children.

“Thank you to everyone in the local community for visiting our Landing Pad Café while browsing our great bargains. We receive no government funding so the donations to our superstore and funds spent while visiting our café help to save more lives,” added Simon Trzopek, Landing Pad Café Manager.

Funding from the charity’s retail store provides an invaluable source of funding for this vital service, it keeps the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance crews on the frontline 24/7, 365 days a year, delivering pre-hospital critical care to those who need it most.

The service’s crews can be on the ground within minutes helping to deliver lifesaving care and giving patients the very best chance of survival – so the dedicated support from its local supporters has been and continues to be greatly appreciated by the charity.

The charity is celebrating its 15^th anniversary of providing its lifesaving service across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland in 2023. To help the charity mark this momentous milestone and support it so its lifesaving 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.

For more information or to get involved please visit: www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3047 999.