Celebrity Ambassador Ray Winstone launches Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s new Charity shop in Royston
Wednesday, 08 March, 2017
Yesterday afternoon, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) welcomed special guests, including Charity Ambassador Ray Winstone, to open their new Charity shop in Royston to the public.
The ribbon was cut just after 2pm yesterday, with a crowd of supporters, Charity staff and volunteers watching as EHAAT’s Chief Executive Officer, Jane Gurney, led the proceedings.
Other VIP guests included Robert and Claire Smith, parents of airlifted baby Milli – who was just 20 hours old at the time of her rescue in 2015, Dr Neville Reyner CBE, Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Councillor Sarah Dingley, Mayor of Royston, Anni Ridsdill Smith and Rob Forsyth, EHAAT Trustees.
Ray Winstone said: “It’s a pleasure to be here today to support the opening of this fantastic new charity shop. The Essex and Herts Air Ambulance are crucial to helping save lives across our Counties. Please support them too; after all it is for you.”
Inside the shop, the feeling of celebration continued, with Ray Winstone making his debut behind the till and served our first customer, toddler Jack Booth Grandson of Council Leader, John Booth.
Matt Seccombe, Head of Retail, said: “It’s been a great day, and we’re very grateful to the people of Royston for welcoming our Charity shop into their community. I think the group here today – from Ray, to the local dignitaries and, of course, the Smith family – goes to show that Charity shops really are for everyone. Our Charity continues to make a difference to people’s lives every single day, and by the public visiting our shops, they’re helping our life-saving service to continue operating.”
Charity shops will continue to expand for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. Its first shop, on Mersea Island in Essex, now generates over £70,000 each year for the Charity. The first shop in Hertfordshire was launched in Ware on 1st December 2015, and the Royston shop takes the Charity to a total of four Charity shops, including Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex.
Donations are welcomed by the Charity and can be dropped off at the shop during opening hours. The Charity is looking for more volunteers to help in the shop and welcome applications via their website or by phone on 0345 2417 690.
You can find the new Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Charity shop at 14 Church Lane, Royston, SG8 9LG.
For more information about Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, or to enquire about volunteering, please visit www.ehaat.org.
