Essex & Herts Air Ambulance shop opens in Braintree

25 Jul Essex & Herts Air Ambulance shop opens in Braintree

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s (EHAAT) new shop in Braintree has been officially opened at a ceremony attended by Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant of Essex. It takes the total number of EHAAT shops across Essex and Hertfordshire to nine.

A brief ceremony took place at the shop, located at 90 High Street, Braintree, during which a ribbon was cut to mark the occasion. The event was attended by Cllr Angela Kilmartin, Chairman of Braintree Council, EHAAT CEO Jane Gurney, and members of the council. Tara McIntyre from Braintree, a former airlifted patient, spoke movingly about how the Charity had touched her life.

Mrs Gurney said: “Opening shops like this is really important to EHAAT. We are a charity, and without access to National Lottery funding and only limited support from Government, we rely on the generosity and the goodwill of the people and businesses of communities across Essex and Hertfordshire. Without the support we receive, we would not be flying and saving lives.”

Tara McIntyre, who was airlifted by one of the Charity’s critical care teams in 2014 said: “I had a serious road traffic collision when I was just 22. I was driving to visit my grandad on his birthday and a drunk driver crashed into me. If it wasn’t for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance I wouldn’t be here today.

“They assessed my injuries and were able to perform the appropriate emergency treatment. Because of my accident and the treatment I have received, I’ve made it my aim to support and raise money for this amazing service.”

Donna Lee, EHAAT’s Head of Retail said: “We are really excited to be opening this new shop in Braintree. Our shops play a vital part in raising the £750,000 the charity needs each month to remain operational and saving lives.

“They are also places where people can come in and find out more about our work and learn about the many ways they can support us, such as fundraising or volunteering.

“The response we’ve had from people donating goods or coming into the shop has been really positive and we are looking forward to welcoming the people of Braintree through our doors.”

The new EHAAT shop is at 90 High Street, Braintree, Essex, CM7 1JP. For more information on volunteering opportunities with the charity contact Volunteer Manager Jane Morton on 0345 2417 690 or at [email protected] or visit ehaat.org/volunteer