VISITORS to a multi-award-winning farm shop can now donate unwanted clothing and shoes to help fundraise for a lifesaving charity and to stop items from going to landfill.

A fundraising clothing bank in aid of Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance has been sited at Rumwell Farm Shop on the A38 between Taunton and Wellington.

Sophie Mitchell, Partner at Rumwell Farm Shop, said: “We’re delighted to be able to host a clothing bank here for our Charity of the Year, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

“They have partnered with Recycling Solutions to create a clothing recycling scheme, which marries with our overarching, companywide policy of supporting sustainability wherever possible.

“Clothing donated via the bank will be sold on and the charity will receive a percentage of the sale price. The scheme provides Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance with a regular and sustainable revenue stream.

“This will help keep their helicopter in the air and care cars on the road, ready to attend to the most critically ill and injured patients in the region.

“We’re delighted to have been able to assist with this and hope our customers can make good use of the bank to support this worthy charity too.”

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, provides lifesaving, pre-hospital critical care, to patients in need. After a quarter of a century in action, DSAA have completed a total of 29,000 missions.

Its team of highly skilled pilots, critical care practitioners, nurses, and doctors are operational for 19 hours a day, 365 days a year; together they work tirelessly to save lives in the area.

The charity also provides an enhanced care service across both counties with two outreach cars operating 12 hours a day with a compassionate team of five patient and family liaison nurses.

The service is 95% funded by charitable giving, including events like Rumwell Farm Shop quizzes. Last year, it was tasked to 2,909 incidents: with each mission costing approximately £3,500.

READ MORE: Musicians to perform in memory of "kind and loving" mum

READ MORE: Campaign by Wellington councillors sees charity reverse closure of homes for elderly

Charlotte Humber, Supporter Engagement Officer for Somerset from Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, said: “It’s wonderful that Rumwell Farm Shop has asked to have one of our fundraising clothing banks onsite. This represents a great opportunity for us to raise invaluable funds while also generating awareness of the lifesaving work that we do.

“When the clothing bank is full, it’s emptied, and the donated items are baled up. These are then sold, and we receive our funds. But the story doesn’t end there. The clothing is separated and graded, and anything that can be re-worn is sent to second hand shops/markets in Europe, Asia or Africa. The remaining items are shredded and recycled into wiper rags, mattress stuffing and even for pellets for punch bags!”

For further details, visit www.rumwellfarmshop.com or www.dsairambulance.org.uk.