Have a rummage for air ambulance

What’s in your drawers?

DERBYSHIRE, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance has launched a new campaign called What’s In Your Drawers? to find hidden gems in people’s unwanted clothing.

The service launched the initiative after research indicated that many people are unwilling to donate their items to charity as they don’t think they will be sold for their worth.

All items donated between September 12 and 18 as part of the Hidden Treasures campaign will be correctly valued and sold so the charity gets the maximum profit.

Justin Thompson, the charity’s head of recycling, said: “Most people would rather see a life saved than hang on to pieces of jewellery they no longer want, but many are reluctant to give them away for fear that their pre-loved items may be undersold or devalued,”

The charity has a network of experts to value items, many of which are sold through their own e-bay store, on Amazon books or to specialist dealers.

In recent months top prices have been achieved for a vintage watch, a gold sovereign ring, a first edition book and an amber necklace.

The service currently receives no government funding and relies fully on support from the public to carry out its operations.

Items can be sent to the charity for free by sending them to Freepost TAAS. They can also be placed in one of the charity’s 365 secure clothing banks across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.

Donors are being encouraged to include their contact details so that receipts can be sent to them. The person who gives the most valuable and most unusual item during the campaign will be rewarded with a VIP air ambulance base visit including lunch and tour of the helicopters.

For more information about donating items call 08454 130999.