Mayor flies to rescue of Air Ambulance charity
The Mayor of Amber Valley is on a mission to maximise his year in office by raising funds for two local charities, one of which is the region’s Air Ambulance Service.
Councillor Tony Holmes, who steps down as Mayor of Amber Valley Borough Council in May, has this week made a flying visit to the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance’s flagship superstore – The Hanger - in Nottingham Road, Somercotes, which celebrates its fifth anniversary in February.
The Mayor has already raised around £2,000 in donations since last May for the Air Ambulance and his other chosen charity, The League of Friends of Ripley Hospital, but he is doubling his fundraising efforts before his tenure ends.
Both charities were selected primarily because of the extremely close bonds they share with the local communities of Alfreton, Somercotes and Ripley.
The Hanger, for example, which sells a huge range of new and used discount goods, also contains a children’s play area and busy café, The Landing Pad, which is used by numerous community groups and often as a place for people to meet and stay warm during the winter.
Cllr Holmes said: “When I first set foot in The Hanger in 2019 when I was Mayor of Ripley, I was blown away by the size of it. But more importantly, charity superstores like this are incredible community assets.
“Money is tight, and I can’t see signs of things getting better at the moment, so to have a place where people can buy things more cheaply, while supporting an extremely worthy local cause, is something we should all celebrate.
“I would urge everyone in Amber Valley and surrounding areas to give what they can to support the Air Ambulance – both in terms of cash and donations of any unwanted items they may have at home. And, of course, if you haven’t visited The Hanger yet, I guarantee you’ll be impressed by it.”
The Hanger receives hundreds of donations daily via its on-site ‘Donation Station’ and through arranged collections. Items can range from clothing and toys to bric-a-brac, homeware and furniture. The store even sells brand new household appliances such as cookers, washing machines and fridge-freezers.
Tina Allen, manager of The Hanger, said the superstore’s record donation in a single day was 1,000 bags of goods. All items are counted, checked and collated prior to going on sale and sometimes any excess items are shared with other Air Ambulance charity stores in the region.
The Somercotes store turned over more than £1m last year. But, to put that in context, the lifesaving service carries out more than 3,000 missions every year, each of which costs around £3,500.
Tina said: “Without the many workers, medics, pilots, fundraisers and volunteers who make the Air Ambulance Service happen, thousands of lives every year would potentially be lost.
“But this comes at a financial cost. So, every single penny given and every single item donated to our stores is so important to us – and to the community. You never know when you might need an Air Ambulance, so please donate what you can.
“We’re so grateful to the Mayor of Amber Valley for making us one of his chosen charities during his year in office.”
Cllr Holmes is planning to host a civic dinner and other fundraising events for the Air Ambulance and Ripley Hospital’s League of Friends between now and April.
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Golf Club Captains Aim High For Safe and Sound The captains of Breadsall Priory Golf Club have chosen Derbyshire’s Safe and Sound as their charity of the year with a programme of read more | |
| Stay vigilant for ticket fraud ahead of top events and concerts this summer Action Fraud urge those planning to buy tickets or attend this summer’s events and concerts to stay vig read more | |
| Easter Eggstra Event at Crich Tramway Village An Easter Eggstra event will focus on family fun at Crich Tramway Village, near Matlock, from Friday 18th to Monday 21st April. read more | |
| Derbyshire Parents Find Out About Their Child's Infant, Primary Or Junior School Places For Sept Derbyshire County Council made offers of infant, primary and junior school places to read more | |
| Appeal as car fails to stop after collision on A38 Police are appealing for dashcam and witnesses after a car failed to stop following a collision on the A38 that left a motorcyclis read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| When you need to call 999 but can't talk When you need to call 999 but can't talk - the ‘silent solution’ can help. Press 55 on your mobile when prompted, to confirm you are in read more | |
| The opening night of the Lights of Abraham Winter Lights Trail The brand new winter lights trail, the 'Lights of Abraham' opened on Friday 22nd November at the Heights of Abraham in read more | |
| Can You Help DREAM Paranormal With Their Research My name is Simon Dean, Lead Investigator of DREAM paranormal and I am looking for your help. read more | |
| Cold Callers claiming to be working on behalf of Derbyshire County Council Policehave seen and increase in reports of 'cold callers' where people are claiming to be working on behal read more | |
| Subscriptions For Amber Valley Borough Councils 2024 Garden Waste Service Are Now Open The garden waste collection service is available to all residents in Amber Valley except for r read more | |
