PEOPLE went flying through the doors in search of a bargain as the new air ambulance charity shop opened in Launceston.

Cornwall Air Ambulance volunteer Paul Ford assisted the mayor of Launceston Cllr Helen Bailey with a traditional ribbon cutting to officially open the new Cornwall Air Ambulance charity shop on High Street on Friday, March 21.

Cllr Bailey was full of praise for the new store and said it was a real boost for the town centre and encouraging to see so many people in town for the opening.

She said: “It is nice to know we are welcoming a shop that will benefit the residents of Launceston — the air ambulance lands here regularly and it saves peoples’ lives from our town.

“It is also nice for our residents to be able to give something back and know that they are able to help make a difference — and when that ambulance lands here they have contributed from this shop.”

Volunteers, resplendent in air ambulance red jackets, were present and eager to welcome new patrons into the store.

Leading the charge was Mr Ford, who has been with the charity for more than 10 years. He said the shop is a great asset for the town and the charity.

He said: “We’ve been wanting a Cornwall Air Ambulance charity shop in Launceston and North Cornwall for a long time.

“I am absolutely over the moon that it is here. My role is to go out and talk to people about the charity; it is very close to my heart.”

Mr Ford regularly gives talks to local schools to ensure support for the charity is ongoing: “I do talks to the schools and its quite amazing the number of children I hear from who have been helped by the air ambulance.

“When we carry a child we give them a bear which says ‘I have been airlifted’ and the number of children that have them is astonishing – 10 per cent of the people we help are actually children.

“By connecting with them we are connecting with the next generation.”

Mr Ford said it was important the people of Cornwall take ownership of their air ambulance as it is such a vital service provided locally. He added that charity shops like these help to boost funds, which in turn will ensure the helicopters stay in the air.

He said: “I have never been airlifted — yet — thankfully, but it is such an essential service and is something that the people of Cornwall have got to keep as their own and not get government involvement with it.

“It is a really important charity and being able to bring a second air ambulance here will make such a huge difference, because we are going to be able to increase our coverage.”

He added jovially: “It is just that last £197,000 we need!”

Mr Ford said this new charity shop was a step towards raising that final sum and he hoped the people of Launceston would get behind their air ambulance – and find a bargain at the same time!