PRESS RELEASE -  21/04/09  

                            Rags to Riches! - The launch of the Campaign

The Julie Rose stadium in Ashford which was saved from closure two weeks ago saw the Kent Air Ambulance fly in and land at the stadium on Tuesday. The charity launched a new initiative to raise funds for the life saving helicopter, when they announced a textile recycling scheme. The stadium is one of the first in the county to house a Kent Air Ambulance branded recycling bin.

Sittingbourne based L W Sait & Sons who are partnering the charity in the initiative will be placing bins in other parts of the county and will donate the profits raised from the sale of donated textiles to the Air Ambulance.

Jonathan Sait from L W Sait & Sons said "Every year the nation throws away around 1,500,000 tonnes of textiles. By launching this recycling scheme, we are not only diverting more waste from landfill sites, but also offering a simple and effective way of raising funds for a vital service that helps so many people and saves lives. We would like to place more bins in the county and would love to hear from any business that would be able to help us do this".

He added "We would also like to mention that we would be delighted to hear from any schools, clubs, community groups and organisations who have raised funds by taking part in our 'Phil' the Bag Recycling Initiative and who wish to support the Kent Air Ambulance with a donation. We will gladly pass this on for you."

The helicopter landed in the middle of the track which has seen athletes such as Dame Kelly Holmes, Lisa Dobriskey and Australia's Sally McKellern. Two weeks ago, there was public outcry when the Stadium was under threat of closure. The stadium was named after middle distance runner Julie Rose, who was killed in an air crash in 1985, and it was officially opened by paralympic sportswoman Tanni Grey in May 1997.

Lynn Hyder, County Fundraiser for the Air Ambulance said "In these difficult financial times, a scheme like this allows people to continue to donate to the Air Ambulance without further hardship and it also helps the environment. I hope that in time we will have many more recycling bins in the County, and this in turn will help us to raise the £1.6 a year that we need to operate the service".

We are seeking venues countywide at which to site Textile Banks to help raise vital funds for the Kent Air Ambulance. Can you site a Textile Bank in your car park, or do you have a suitable space with vehicular access that will allow the local community to drop off their unwanted clothes? If so, we would love to hear from you.

Call Helena on 01795 424404 for further information.

There is more good news; it won't cost you a penny to show your support in this way! 

Further information about Textile recycling can be found on the charity's web site www.kentairambulance.co.uk

Kent Air Ambulance 01622 833833

The Air Ambulance service in Kent, Surrey and Sussex costs around £3 million annually to stay airborne. Receiving no funding from the Government or the National Lottery the charity is entirely dependent upon the generosity of the public to support the two helicopters, based at Marden and Dunsfold.