Leicestershire charity shop named the UK's 'favourite'

A Leicestershire charity shop has been crowned the UK’s “favourite”. The Air Ambulance Service store, in Scalford Road, Melton, took home the first place prize at the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards event in London.

The shop was one of 12 area winners in the running to receive the title. The awards, launched by The Charity Retail Association as part of the organisation’s 25th anniversary celebrations, are the first of their kind, and aim to highlight the value of charity shops and the “enormous impact they have”, a spokesperson said.

Simon Mitchell, area manager at The Air Ambulance Service, described the Melton team as “absolutely brilliant”. He said: “The award is thoroughly deserved, they are not only a credit to our charity but to the charity sector itself.”

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Robin Osterley, chief executive of the Charity Retail Association, said: “Congratulations to the team at The Air Ambulance Service. This award is a testament to the dedication of the shop’s wonderful staff and volunteers, and shows how valued it is by their customers and the wider community.”

Mr Osterley said the association had been “delighted” with the response to the awards, which it hoped would “inspire more people to visit their local charity shops”. Two runners-up were also announced at a gala dinner on Tuesday night (November 19), with St Peter's Hospice, Bristol, and Shooting Star Children's Hospices, Godalming, taking home the titles.

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