EHAAT officially opens its new charity shop in Letchworth

Bringing the total number of outlets in Essex and Hertfordshire to nine, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s (EHAAT) shop in Letchworth has been officially opened by the charity’s CEO, Jane Gurney, and Peter Morris, a former patient who has benefitted directly from the life-saving service the air ambulance provides.

Local councillors, EHAAT trustees, volunteers and staff gathered together outside the shop, located at 17 Eastcheap in the town centre, where Jane, Peter and his wife Jackie, jointly cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.

Jackie Morris, Jane Gurney and Peter Morris officially opening the new Essex & Herts Air Ambulance shop in Letchworth.

In 2020, Peter had a cardiac arrest when he was at work in Harlow, and was fortunate to receive immediate CPR from bystander, Andy Jenkins. Attending in one of their Rapid Response Vehicles, a member of EHAAT’s critical care team then treated Peter at the scene, before he was taken to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage by ambulance.

Peter went on to make a full recovery and he and his wife Jackie put Andy forward for a nomination from The Royal Humane Society. At a meeting of their committee, it was agreed that Andy should receive an award for his selfless actions, and Adam Carr, EHAAT’s Head of Patient & Family Liaison, presented the award during a visit by Andy to the North Weald Airbase a few weeks ago.

At the official opening Peter said: “If it wasn’t for Andy and EHAAT I wouldn’t be here celebrating the opening of the Letchworth charity shop today. The great work that the air ambulance does relies on the community for support. I hope that this new shop helps generate the funds that are needed to keep this truly life-saving charity flying, as you never know when you are going to need them.”

Critical Care Paramedic and Head of Patient & Family Liaison, Adam Carr with Jackie and Peter Morris, and Patient & Family Liaison Officer and Paramedic, Helen Goodwin

Jane Gurney said: “It’s been a great day, and we’re very grateful to the people of Letchworth for the warm welcome. All the money raised through the shop will go towards supporting the life-saving service provided by Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, and the crucial work it does for the critically ill and injured who live, work and travel through the two counties. It costs in excess of £750,000 every month to keep the service operational and cover all charitable costs, and this would not be possible without the generosity and goodwill of our local communities.

“We would appeal to local residents to donate preloved clothing, shoes and handbags, as well as bric-a-brac and small items of furniture; anything is welcome as long as it is clean and in good condition. And with sustainability very much at the forefront of our retail operations, donors can rest assured that their items will be resold or recycled – nothing goes to waste, we even reuse all the bags that donations have been dropped off in!

“We are also in need of volunteers to join and help us, so we would love to hear from anyone who has some time to spare and enjoys meeting the public. To find out more, just pop into the shop and say ‘hello’.”

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s Letchworth shop opening times are: Monday – Saturday: 9.30 am – 4.30 pm. It is closed on Sunday and Bank holidays.

Photos taken by Warren Page at Pagepix 

 To follow and to keep up to date on new stock arrivals, please follow our Facebook page ‘Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Letchworth’.

Bringing the total number of outlets in Essex and Hertfordshire to nine, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s (EHAAT) shop in Letchworth has been officially opened by the charity’s CEO, Jane Gurney, and Peter Morris, a former patient who has benefitted directly from the life-saving service the air ambulance provides.

Local councillors, EHAAT trustees, volunteers and staff gathered together outside the shop, located at 17 Eastcheap in the town centre, where Jane, Peter and his wife Jackie, jointly cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.

Jackie Morris, Jane Gurney and Peter Morris officially opening the new Essex & Herts Air Ambulance shop in Letchworth.

In 2020, Peter had a cardiac arrest when he was at work in Harlow, and was fortunate to receive immediate CPR from bystander, Andy Jenkins. Attending in one of their Rapid Response Vehicles, a member of EHAAT’s critical care team then treated Peter at the scene, before he was taken to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage by ambulance.

Peter went on to make a full recovery and he and his wife Jackie put Andy forward for a nomination from The Royal Humane Society. At a meeting of their committee, it was agreed that Andy should receive an award for his selfless actions, and Adam Carr, EHAAT’s Head of Patient & Family Liaison, presented the award during a visit by Andy to the North Weald Airbase a few weeks ago.

At the official opening Peter said: “If it wasn’t for Andy and EHAAT I wouldn’t be here celebrating the opening of the Letchworth charity shop today. The great work that the air ambulance does relies on the community for support. I hope that this new shop helps generate the funds that are needed to keep this truly life-saving charity flying, as you never know when you are going to need them.”

Critical Care Paramedic and Head of Patient & Family Liaison, Adam Carr with Jackie and Peter Morris, and Patient & Family Liaison Officer and Paramedic, Helen Goodwin

Jane Gurney said: “It’s been a great day, and we’re very grateful to the people of Letchworth for the warm welcome. All the money raised through the shop will go towards supporting the life-saving service provided by Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, and the crucial work it does for the critically ill and injured who live, work and travel through the two counties. It costs in excess of £750,000 every month to keep the service operational and cover all charitable costs, and this would not be possible without the generosity and goodwill of our local communities.

“We would appeal to local residents to donate preloved clothing, shoes and handbags, as well as bric-a-brac and small items of furniture; anything is welcome as long as it is clean and in good condition. And with sustainability very much at the forefront of our retail operations, donors can rest assured that their items will be resold or recycled – nothing goes to waste, we even reuse all the bags that donations have been dropped off in!

“We are also in need of volunteers to join and help us, so we would love to hear from anyone who has some time to spare and enjoys meeting the public. To find out more, just pop into the shop and say ‘hello’.”

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s Letchworth shop opening times are: Monday – Saturday: 9.30 am – 4.30 pm. It is closed on Sunday and Bank holidays.

Photos taken by Warren Page at Pagepix 

 To follow and to keep up to date on new stock arrivals, please follow our Facebook page ‘Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Letchworth’.