Air ambulance appeals for clothes donations (From This Is Local London)

Air ambulance appeals for clothes donations

10:00am Sunday 4th October 2009 in Where I Live By Rebecca Cain

At a time when people cannot afford to be generous with their money the Air Ambulance is asking people to donate their clothes instead.

In their tenth anniversary year Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance have teamed up with the recycling charity, Bag It Up, to raise funds for the service.

Air Ambulance receives no government funding or lottery grants so relies solely on the help of local people.

Bag It Up would like to get 100 clothes banks out in the shops in the area by Christmas so people can donate their clothes, shoes and textiles for the charity to sell on.

Wendy Elridge of Bag It Up Limited said: “It is a clothing bank scheme whereby people place their unwanted clothing into banks around the area and support their local air ambulance without parting with their cash - a very popular scheme these days.

“The Hampshire and Isle Of Wight Air Ambulance joined the scheme in 2007 and are currently raising £23, 000 a month and I would love to get the same amount for the Thames Valley.”

Ms Elridge is appealing to members of the public, including shop managers and supermarket managers, who think they have a site they can display one of the clothing banks.

If you think you can help please contact wendy.eldridge@bagitup.org.uk.