The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Charity (DSAA) is warning residents not to be confused by a commercial company which has been carrying out doorstep collections of clothing, jewellery, toys, and other items.
The company is called Air Ambulance Service (Trading Co Ltd) but has no official connection with the DSAA.
In fact, it is not known whether any money raised by the company has ever been given to any Air Ambulance charity.
It puts leaflets through people’s letterboxes showing a photograph of a yellow helicopter, similar to the one flown by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, which can lead householders to think the company is supporting the Charity.
DSAA charity manager Charlotte Routley said: “It is causing distress to people when they later find out that this is a profit-making commercial company which has nothing to do with us at all.
“As well as taking away vital funds which could help keep our Air Ambulance flying over Dorset and Somerset, this company’s activities have even led to people mistakenly complaining to us about receiving frequent requests to donate items.
“We would like to make it absolutely clear to residents in Dorset and Somerset that the only people who are likely to knock on somebody’s door on behalf of the DSAA are our Flight for Life Lottery fund-raisers, who will carry official identification but we will never accept any money or clothing from doorsteps.
“The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance work with a recycling partner Bag It Up Ltd, which provide yellow air ambulance recycling banks in easily accessible locations all over Dorset and Somerset where people can take any clothes, shoes and household textiles they want to donate.”
