The Great North Air Ambulance clothing recycling team have enjoyed a busy month as they loaded the first trucks full of recycled clothes at their new home.

GNAAS’ Trading Company has been collecting and recycling used clothing, books, and office supplies donated by the public since 2004, with all of its profits donated to the charity on an annual basis.

The team from the Trading Company have resided at Aycliffe’s Business Park for several years but have now relocated to the charity’s headquarters in Urlay Nook, Eaglescliffe.

David Stockton, chief executive officer at GNAAS, said: “When our lease agreement was coming to an end at our Newton Aycliffe site last year, we decided it was in the charity’s interests to move our clothing recycling operation to our headquarters in Eaglescliffe.

“The move will allow us to reduce our overheads, increase interoperability between the teams at HQ and will provide an opportunity to re-invest these savings to support the future growth of the Trading Company and its subsequent fundraising for our front-line service.”

Clothing is one of the main items the team collects, but they also take curtains, towels, handbags, belts, shoes in pairs, and bedding, apart from quilts and pillows.

The charity has stressed however that they do not collect bric a brac but will happily take books in a separate bag.

Despite covid and the war in Ukraine impacting the Trading Company’s activity, their most recent donation to the charity was £200,000, which will fund over 40 call-outs.

Phil Hall, commercial projects manager, said: “It was a proud moment seeing our textile buyers picking up their first collections in our new home.

“Our colleagues Jamie and Adam loaded two trucks up with over 100 Botany bags each, and these are now being shipped off for sorting and further distribution by our customers abroad.

“I’d like to thank our supporters for making this possible, as the money raised from their donated items will help our critical care team continue to help those in need.”

To make collections easier, the Trading Company offer a service Monday to Saturday, where people can book in a collection at a pre-arranged time.

This service is available across Cumbria and can be booked via GNAAS’ Facebook page or by calling 01325 308 139.

 

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