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The Air Ambulance Service celebrates 10 years in retail
On 19 November, the lifesaving Air Ambulance Service will be celebrating an impressive 10-year milestone in retail.
The charity, which operates the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland, Warwickshire & Northamptonshire and national Children’s Air Ambulances, opened its first store in Rugby, Warwickshire, ten years ago.
Since then, the charity has gone from strength to strength adding a further 55 shops across the country to its portfolio – including two superstores – which have helped go towards funding 30,000 missions over the last ten years.
“It is great to be celebrating our 10th anniversary in retail, over the last decade our retail operations have made over £5.5million for this lifesaving service and received over 850,000 donations,” said Deputy CEO Emma Peake.
“Our stores are filled with fabulous donations and things to buy, and whilst we have had to close during this difficult period, we really encourage people to still celebrate with us by shopping at our online outlets,” she added.
Due to lockdown restrictions, the charity had to change its celebration plans, where former patient Guy Watt – who suffered multiple life-threatening injuries –was due to attend his local Rugby store to show his appreciation and support.
“The 10th anniversary of the air ambulance retail stores is a great milestone for the charity, all the staff and incredible volunteers in-store make a huge difference in keeping the charity going.
“The stores provide an invaluable source of funding for this vital service, allowing them to keep attending lifesaving missions like mine – so, on behalf of the air ambulance patients, I’d like to say a big thank you to all of the charity’s retail team and volunteers,” said Guy.
The charity will now be celebrating its retail birthday with a variety of internal activities all week, thanking everyone who has helped in reaching this great milestone – as well as an external drawing competition with its exciting kid’s club #TheCrew, and special plans for when the stores reopen.
“On behalf of the charity, I want to thank all of our supporters for their continued support over the last ten years- especially during these challenging times. We look forward to warmly welcoming everyone back in our stores as soon as we reopen,” added Emma.
To show your support and to access The Air Ambulance Service’s online shop, please click here.
