The brilliant community book stall located at Bridport Co-op has now raised over £75,000 for our life saving charity. The fundraising initiative has grown over the years, from two small bookcases to numerous shelves of books with the help and support of members of the public who donate their books, Co-op staff and our local volunteers Ron and Jan Bishop. 

The residents of Bridport have continued to donate their previously read books to the store, where others can pick them up in exchange for a donation. It has become a real hub for community engagement which keeps giving, year on year.

Bridport and Beaminster Co-op member pioneer, Lesley Windsor is responsible for seeing how the Co-op can best support the local community and said: 

Our Bridport store is so proud to have enabled customers to raise such an incredible amount of money for the air ambulance. Not only has it helped to saved lives, but customers say what an important resource the bookshelves are to them. Isn't it fantastic when such good causes can be supported by people doing something that is of benefit to themselves.

Volunteers, Ron and Jan Bishop praised the support from staff at Bridport Co-op and everyone who has helped raise such an amazing amount of money. Ron said:

This really is an incredible achievement. Jan and I have been tidying up the bookshelves and cleaning the books for resale for a number of years and seeing the funds raised exceed £75,000 is amazing. The Co-op started used book sales about 15 years ago and at that time it was a table-top area. Since then, it has developed into one, two and then three free-standing bookcases, before a local deliver driver called Terry constructed a five-bay display in his own time, with all the wood donated by Travis Perkins. Everyone is so supportive of the initiative and they really appreciate the work of our critical care team within the local area. I could not be prouder!

Our Community Fundraising Officer, Becky Heath, added to the praise by saying:  

With no direct funding from the Government or the National Lottery, initiatives like this are crucial in enabling us to continue saving lives. With every mission costing approximately £3,500, the brilliant amount of £75,000 raised by Bridport Co-op over the years, has potentially funded the cost of 21 missions. That’s the equivalent to 21 lives saved, so on behalf of the patients who have needed us, thank you to the Co-op and their customers and to Ron and Jan for this fantastic support.