Air Ambulance warns of possible doorstep collection scam
By M2S_Media | Saturday, July 10, 2010, 11:47
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.
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One of the leaflets being used by Air Ambulance Service (Trading Co Ltd).
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 our Charity does not collect anything from doorsteps.
“Instead, we work with our recycling partner Bag It Up Ltd, which has recycling banks in easily accessible locations all over Dorset and Somerset where people can take the items they want to donate.
“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 will never accept any money on the doorstep.”
The DSAA relies solely on donations from the public to raise the £3,800 a day it needs to keep its life-saving helicopter flying, as it does not receive any Government or National Lottery funding
The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and has attended more than 7,300 emergencies since its launch, saving many lives with the speed at which casualties have been taken to hospital.
More information about the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance can be found by visiting www.dorsetandsomersetairambulance.org.uk or by emailing info@dorsetandsomersetairambulance.org.uk or calling 01823 669604.
Comments
I emailed these people who state they are a not for profit company, to clarify whether they just refer people or if they actually help pay fo an air ambulance, the reply was: " Both find a cost effective solution and also help fund the transport(depending on funds available) for patients who find themselves without insurance cover, becuase most people don't have any travel insurance when on holiday in this country or let down on insurance when in another country and left stranded abroad.
Air Ambulance Service are a free memberships organisation open to all UK residents. We are working to providing financial assistance to cover or reduce the cost of ground and air ambulance medical transportation for patients caught in difficult medical cri***stances(having an unfortuante accidents in another city or country) .We are a free information provider and eferral service.All ground and air ambulance medical transports are chartered,co-ordinated and carried out by a network of licensed operators so as to ensure the compassionate care ,safety and comfort of the patients."
The spokesperson then asked where these leaflets are being distributed as they are aware of some old style ones being distributed "by someone" in the Burnham-on-Sea area and they want to report any others to the police . If anyone wants to contact the AAS team airambulanceservice@hotmail.co.uk
I leave it to you all to what to make of this.
By marion_TLocal at 14:07 on 11/07/10
ReportI have just looked up their website which does exist but has a disclaimer on it which says they are "not associated with any local helicopter emergency services"
what they appear to be offering is a referral service to help you get one if you are abroad, which you will probably have to pay for.
By Zumerset_Gal at 13:38 on 10/07/10
ReportThat's really bad, this is not the first company that has confused people about doorstep collections but this is downright outrageous, thanks for telling us.
By Zumerset_Gal at 13:27 on 10/07/10
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