The Hanger in Somercotes is celebrating its fourth birthday today (February 21) – four years of funding lifesaving missions for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA).

The shop, on Nottingham Road, is the charity’s flagship superstore and also home to the Landing Pad Café.

It was opened by former Derbyshire patient, Pauline Dainty, on February 21, 2019.

Since then The Hanger has raised £2,869,121.07 from sales and a further £458,204.23 worth of sales from the café – funding almost 2,000 lifesaving missions.

Pauline said: “If it wasn’t for this service, I wouldn’t be here today. The charity receives no government funding and relies on donations from the local community to remain operational.

“This superstore is a great place to not only pick up a quality bargain but to also help keep the DLRAA helicopter flying and saving lives as they did mine.”

Since opening, The Hanger has received 217,970 bags of donated items but continues to require support from the local community with donations of new and preloved items.

Tina Allen, manager of the superstore, said: “We would like to thank each and every one of our supporters for a fantastic four years. Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to continue our lifesaving missions throughout Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland.”

Simon Trzopek, Landing Pad Café manager, added: “Thank you to everyone in the local community for visiting our Landing Pad Café while browsing our great bargains.

“We receive no government funding so the donations to our superstore and funds spent while visiting our café to help save more lives.”

The Hanger is open between 9am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, and between 10am and 4pm on Sundays.

You can find more information here.