A new charity shop dedicated to an East of England air ambulance group has opened in Sandy.
The Sandy Magpas Air Ambulance charity shop opened its doors on Monday in Shannon Court, off the High Street.
Magpas Air Ambulance brings crucial life-saving care by land and air to patients in life-threatening emergencies in the East of England and beyond.
This is its first store in Bedfordshire.
The shop was opened by the town’s deputy mayor Michael Scott, alongside courageous 12-year-old Josh Bright – whose life was saved by Magpas Air Ambulance crews three years ago.
Josh was involved in a horrific incident in Bedford when he was crushed between two cars, leaving him with critical injuries.
The Magpas Air Ambulance enhanced doctor and paramedic team made a crucial difference for him, delivering hospital level care to him at the scene of the accident before taking him to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for further treatment.
Just before he cut the ribbon and officially declared the shop open, Josh said: “I’d like to thank Magpas for saving my life and saving the lives of others.”
The deputy mayor added: “I’ve followed the work of Magpas Air Ambulance for a long time, and it’s lovely to see how much the charity has evolved over the years.”
Next month brave Josh, from Wootton near Bedford, will embark on a 30.6-mile walk with his little sister, mum and dad – through Bedfordshire and Sandy to Addenbrooke’s Hospital to raise cash for the charity that helped to save his life.
The route will begin at the site of Josh’s accident, in Bedford’s Tavistock Street, before heading on to Sandy and across to Cambridge.
Josh’s dad Nick Bright said: “We’re immensely proud to help, it’s an honour to promote a cause that’s so close to our hearts, for obvious reasons.
“Without the care from Magpas Air Ambulance that night, I dread to think what the outcome would have been.
“As for the walk we’re doing – well, it’s our sign of appreciation for everything Magpas did for us and for thousands of other seriously ill and injured patients in the East of England and beyond.”
To find out more about Magpas, see magpas.org.uk.
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