We are delighted to announce that Castlepoint Shopping Park has chosen the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance as their Charity of the Year. Castlepoint are aiming to raise over £250,000 for this life saving charity, by running a series of events and recycling schemes during the year.
In March, Castlepoint contacted the charity’s recycling partner Bag It Up Ltd and placed a Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance textile bank at its recycling point. This has been hugely successful, already raising over £300 per month for the charity. Due to the publics’ support for the charity, Castlepoint is now placing further banks around the centre.
Peter Matthews, General Manager for Castlepoint explained why he decided on supporting the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, ‘we wanted to be able to make a difference and create a partnership that would not only make money for the charity but also raise their awareness in the area. Many of us thought that the Air Ambulance was funded from Central Government via the NHS – IT ISN’T! We will have a lot of fun in the next year stretching to reach our GOAL.”
Nicola Howkins, Director of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance expressed her gratitude by saying, ‘we are absolutely thrilled to have been selected by Castlepoint as their Charity of the year. To be able to showcase the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance at such a prime location, visited by thousands, is truly amazing. Their target goal makes Castlepoint the largest fundraising initiative the charity has ever been involved with and we thank them for their enthusiasm and support!’
The campaign starts on 14th June with ‘BAG A BRA WEEK!’. How many bras do you have, that you don’t wear? Well by donating your Bra's you will not only be supporting the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, but also providing much needed underwear for developing countries.
‘We would like all ladies to start sorting through their underwear and to put aside the bras they no longer need. From Sat 14th – Sat 21st June you can bring them to Castlepoint, where they will be collected at various sites and then hung around the centre on a ‘washing line’. By the end of the week, we hope the washing line will extend from TK Maxx to Argos via Marks and Spencer, explained Tracy Bartram - local community fundraiser for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
John Parker, Deputy Centre Manager at Castlepoint said, “I am delighted we have formed a partnership with such a worthwhile cause. It’s an exciting and meaningful venture whereby two companies are working towards one goal; saving people’s lives!”
About Castlepoint Shopping Park: Castlepoint is a unique retail experience, located on the edge of Bournemouth. It’s a “convenient high street” with Next, Marks and Spencer and B & Q Warehouse being the largest stores in the region. It even has the benefit of being open late Monday to Friday until 8 pm. Convenience and freedom shopping, fashion and leisure, in a modern friendly location. For more information, please visit: www.castlepointshopping,com
About Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is a registered charity. They receive no funding from the government or the National Lottery. The helicopter is leased from Bond Helicopters and costs in excess of £3,500 per day to run. It is crewed by a pilot and two paramedics and is capable of carrying two stretcher patients, plus a third sitting passenger. It flies comfortably at 150 mph and can be anywhere in the two counties within 19 minutes of receiving the emergency call, making it ideal when time is critical in life-threatening situations.
For more information, please visit: www.dorsetandsomersetairambulance.co.uk
About Bag It Up Ltd
Bag It Up Ltd is a recycling company working in partnership with Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. We have helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for our partner charities through recycling clothes, shoes, textiles, mobile phones and inkjet cartridges at no cost to them. Collected good quality clothing, shoes and textiles are packed for resale to traders in the UK and worldwide. ‘End of life’ garments are recycled into industrial wipers, mattress filling, insulation and reusable fibres. For more information, please visit: www.bagitup.org.uk
