Thanks to Sherie for news of the Air Ambulance’s latest fundraising campaign. Ed
A major new fundraising initiative kicks off today (7 Feb) for the Air Ambulances which cover Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight.
Three teams show their support
Footballers from AFC Bournemouth, Southampton FC, and Yeovil Town have volunteered to help with the 3 pm kick-off at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Bournemouth.
The players will be donating old pairs of football boots and other footwear to the ‘Save Old Soles’ campaign, which is being launched jointly by the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA).
Raising funds for local air ambulances
‘Save Old Soles’ is an initiative created by the Air Ambulances’ recycling partner Bag It Up Ltd, which takes used shoes and other footwear and converts them into cash by trading them in Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world.
The campaign follows the success of Bag a Bra, another recycling initiative, in which women donate their unwanted bras.
The two Air Ambulances hope that schools, sporting clubs, groups, businesses, and individuals will join the ‘Save Old Soles’ campaign and donate their unwanted footwear to generate funds for their local Air Ambulance.
One pair of shoes each could raise £350k
With populations of about 1.2 million in Dorset and Somerset, and 1.4 million in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, the campaign could raise around £350,000 if everybody gave just one pair of shoes.
To join the scheme, people can email the DSAA at [email protected] or call 01823 669604, or email HIOWAA at enquiries @.hiow-airambulance.org.uk or call 02380 333 377.
For more information about Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance visiting their website.
