The Wales Air Ambulance Cwmdu shop in Swansea is delighted to has taken the title of Wales winner in The UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards for the second year running!
The Charity delivers advanced lifesaving medical care to people across Wales 24/7. It is the only air ambulance charity based in, and dedicated to, the people of Wales. The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £13 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road.
The shop was one of more than 5,000 that were nominated across the UK and claimed the winning spot in a public vote involving more than 40,000 votes.
Rob Coles, Wales Air Ambulance’s Head of Retail and Community, said: “We are delighted to have once again been crowned the favourite charity shop in Wales. This award reflects the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and staff. It is a testament to their commitment to provide a great service to the people visiting the store, daily. The Cwmdu volunteers and staff should all be extremely proud to receive this award once again.”
Charity shops are more than a place to pick up a secondhand bargain – they are community hubs that employ local people, help volunteers find friendship, and offer support to those with first-hand experience of the causes they support. This sentiment was reflected in the nomination stage, when supporters were asked to share what they loved about the shop they were nominating.
Robin Osterley, Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association, said: “Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who voted. The volume of support the Awards received this year not only demonstrates the public’s passion for their favourite stores but really shows the impact they have within their local communities and the difference they make to people’s lives.”
Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity’s vehicles.
As a pan-Wales service, the dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
To find out more about the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards visit: https://charityretail.org.uk/the-uks-favourite-charity-shop
