Swansea’s Cwmdu store crowned favourite charity shop in Wales

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.

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 £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road.

The shop was one of 6,500 that were nominated across the UK and claimed the winning spot in a public vote involving almost 13,000 people.

Rob Coles, Wales Air Ambulance’s Head of Retail and Community, said: “We are delighted to have 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.”

Charity shops are an institution in the UK and have seen a rise in popularity in recent years as the public look for more ways to shop sustainably, support good causes and give back to their communities. The awards are the first of their kind and were launched in June to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Charity Retail Association, the membership organisation for charity shops in the UK.

Robin Osterley, Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association, said: “Huge congratulations to Wales Air Ambulance. This award is a testament to the dedication of the shop’s staff and volunteers, and highlights what this wonderful store means to the local community.

“We have been overwhelmed by the public’s response to our search for the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop, which celebrates the contribution the sector makes to communities and good causes across the UK.”

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.