Children’s Air Ambulance charity shop in Newark targeted by thieves

A charity shop team has been left “devastated” after thieves caused thousands of pounds worth of damage during a break-in.

The Children’s Air Ambulance charity store, in Saracen's Head Yard, Newark, was broken into overnight on Thursday (January 2), and the early hours of Friday.

Thieves caused significant damage to both the external and internal doors of the building, as well as to a safe and a till. The day’s earnings — around £500 in cash — alongside a mobile phone were also taken.

The estimated total cost of the break-in, including repairs, loss of earnings, and the stolen items, is expected to be between £4,000 and £6,000.

Children’s Air Ambulance retail area manager, Simon Trzopek, said: “This is a devastating blow to our team, and it is heart-wrenching to know that thieves have targeted a charity store dedicated to supporting lifesaving services for children.

“The damage is significant, not just financially, but emotionally.

“Our hardworking staff and volunteers put in so much effort to run the store, and to see it targeted in this way is truly upsetting.”

Police are currently investigating the break-in and anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident 129 of January 3, 2025.

The charity, which relies entirely on public donations, is dedicated to providing specialist and lifesaving air transportation for critically ill babies and children in need of urgent care.

Each mission is estimated to cost an average of £3,600, meaning the loss of funds from the shop break in will stop slights from being able to take place.

They also work in partnership with 11 NHS paediatric and neonatal retrieval teams across the UK, enabling them to bring their specialist equipment on board to safely transfer patients from one hospital to another.

If a child is too sick to fly, then the charity can fly a specialist team directly to them.

Newark store manager, Melissa Kirk, said: “The support from the community and our customers has been absolutely brilliant.

“They’ve really rallied around us and we’ve had people coming into store, offering their condolences and helping where they can.”

Mr Trzopek added: “We are asking our supporters and the local community to help us recover from this setback.

“Any donation, large or small, will go directly towards supporting the lifesaving work of the Children’s Air Ambulance, ensuring that we can continue to fly and keep hope alive for these patients and their families in their time of need.”

Donations can be made in-store, online, or by calling 0300 3045 999.