DEVON Air Ambulance opened the doors to its brand-new charity shop in Crediton at a special launch event held at 10am on Friday, September 6.

A ribbon was cut to declare the shop open with a crowd joining in a countdown.

Deputy Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Steve Huxtable went along to help celebrate the occasion and was the first customer to make a purchase.

Two DAA Critical Care Paramedics Jessica Thomas-Mourne and Mark Hawley also attended along with Jenny, one of the two DAA mascots.

This new charity shop in the heart of Crediton High Street, was previously occupied by Exeter Leukemia Fund (ELF).

Before the grand opening, Pete Vallance, Head of Retail at Devon Air Ambulance, said: "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for coming out to welcome our opening. 

"It's a pleasure to be here with our ops crew as well as our Deputy Mayor of Crediton, Steve.

"It's our 21st shop of the Devon Air Ambulance charity retail estate. 

"We're really looking forward to opening in Crediton and hopefully you'll enjoy the bargains and treats that you find inside."

Steve Huxtable, Deputy Mayor of Crediton, said: "I'm just really pleased to be here. Sorry about the weather, we didn't book that too well, did we? 

"It's absolutely brilliant that you're here. It's a wonderful cause, you do a wonderful job and I hope that the (public) support you by buying and donating as well."

Matthew Bell, Director of Public Engagement at Devon Air Ambulance, said after the shop had opened: "It's our 21st shop in our chain and it's fantastic to have a presence in the wonderful Crediton. 

"We've had an aspiration to grow the number of our shops and Crediton was a gap on the map and it's fantastic to be here. 

"We've been so welcomed and embraced by the community.

"For weeks while we've been refitting the shop people have been at the door saying when are you opening, really keen to get in.

"We've already got about 20 volunteers signed up, which is phenomenal, because obviously without the volunteers, without the support of the local community, we wouldn't be able to run the shops.

"Whether it's people giving their time or donating their goods for us to sell, they're a really important part of our funding for Devon Air Ambulance. We wouldn't be able to do what we do without them really. 

"We went to something like 2,200 missions last year, so we're such a part of the community in Devon.

"I think what's really nice about the shops is it gives us that visible presence in the communities that we serve and it's so amazing, the amount of people that come in and tell their story and want to kind of connect with us. 

"We feel really privileged to have that place in people's hearts, it's incredible."

Visitors will be delighted to see it kitted out with repurposed and reused materials left by the previous tenant, demonstrating the charity’s commitment to sustainability.

The charity’s retail shops make a significant difference, not only to the local people in the communities they serve, but as a vital income stream to support the lifesaving service it provides.

Thrifty customers and generous donors will be welcomed by the Devon Air Ambulance team and their volunteers and will be delighted to discover quality preloved garments, accessories, books, bric-a-brac, and more.

DAA’s new Crediton charity shop at 20 High St, Crediton EX17 3AE is accepting donations of preloved toys, books, CD’s, DVD’s, Blu-rays, handbags, jewellery, shoes, clean clothing, and Bric-a-Brac.

The shop has a changing room to try on clothes and the range also includes jigsaws, has a wool and linen area, cushions and jewellery and merchandise.

It is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and closed on Sundays.