Essex & Herts Air Ambulance welcomed special guests, including charity ambassador and actor Ray Winstone, to open their new shop in Royston yesterday.
The ribbon was cut just after 2pm at the brand new shop in Church Lane.
Ray 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.”
Other VIP guests included town mayor Sarah Dingley, EHAAT Trustees Anni Ridsdill Smith and Rob Forsyth, Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Dr Neville Reyner CBE and Robert and Claire Smith, parents of airlifted baby Milli – who was just 20 hours old at the time of her air ambulance rescue in 2015.
Inside the shop, the feeling of celebration continued, with Ray – making his debut behind the till and serving their first customer, toddler Jack Booth grandson of North Herts District Council chairman John Booth.
Head of retail Matt Seccombe 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.”
For more information about Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, or to volunteer, have a look at ehaat.org.
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