YOUR LOCAL AIR AMBULANCE: WE ARE GETTING DOUBLE THE PRE-CORONAVIRUS AMOUNTS

SMALL STORAGE AREA AND 48-HOUR QUARANTINING OF ITEMS FORCES SHOP MANAGER TO INTRODUCE RATIONING

AN ATHERSTONE charity shop is being inundated with generous donations since reopening almost three weeks ago – taking in almost double its usual pre-coronavirus weekly amount.

Last week alone Your Local Air Ambulance shop welcomed more than 700 bags of pre-loved and new items, including many new designer clothes and accessories.

And manager Ann Parker reckons it could have been at least 1,000 if she had not imposed a two-bag limit per drop off to cope with the influx.

Ann told Nub News: "We are very lucky and grateful that the shop is so well-supported.

"But with a small storage area and items being quarantined for 48 hours before being allowed on the shop floor it has been necessary to ask for just two bags for the time being.

"It is also very helpful if people ring us first before dropping off their donations so we can be ready and waiting."

The Long Street shop, one many stores operated by The Air Ambulance Service, reopened on June 18 and the income enables the charity to operate its lifesaving services and support NHS partners working on the frontline.

Screens, hand sanitiser stations, social distancing signage and other health and safety measures have been put in place to protect staff and shoppers.

Last year the shop started taking donated electrical items – PAT-tested in-store before being displayed – and Ann highlighted this as one area where there is a current lack of stock.

"We would very much appreciate more electrical items in working condition," she added.