The raiders recently broke into the shop in Mutley Plain and stole a collection box containing several hundred pounds, causing distress to the staff and great inconvenience to the charity.
Now, shop manager Marie Young and the team of volunteers who work with her have round-the-clock protection – all thanks to Plymouth-based Securi-Guard.
The company was asked by one of the charity’s trustees, John Casson, if it would be kind enough to sponsor an alarm system for the shop so the staff could feel safer.
Managing director Scott Boyd was delighted to oblige and his installation team fitted a brand new system, which will be monitored 24/7 from the Alarm Receiving Centre at Securi-Guard’s Estover headquarters.
System serves as morale booster
Chrissie Peel – retail manager of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust – said the alarm system had been a tremendous morale boost for the shop staff, who felt much safer now it had been fitted. “We’re extremely grateful to Securi-Guard for sponsoring the intruder alarm at the Plymouth charity shop,” said Peel. “It truly will make a difference, and gives the charity and the manager and volunteers who work so hard at the shop peace of mind.”
Peel added: “Gifts in kind from our corporate friends really do help our funds go further. It ensures that the money donated by the people of Devon can go straight to helping keep both of Devon’s Air Ambulances flying.”
The Devon Air Ambulance Service was started by Ann Thomas, whose 18-year-old son Ceri from Sidmouth died in 1986 after being knocked from his bicycle. The consultant told her the quicker a casualty is rushed to hospital the better their chances of survival.
A few years ago another youngster Tom Staniforth ,17, from the Tiverton area suffered almost identical injuries to Ceri, but because of the helicopter’s speed of response he survived and made a full recovery.
Upkeep can be very expensive
With the two Air Ambulances the charity operates, 50% of the county can be reached in five minutes and the remainder within 15. That said, it costs more than GB pound 3.5 million a year to keep the charity’s two helicopters flying and, as it receives no funding from Government or the lottery, donations are absolutely vital.
“We were more than delighted to help the Air Ambulance Service,” explained Scott Boyd. “For many years now, it has made a tremendous difference in Devon, and it needs every penny it raises to continue this life-saving work.”
Securi-Guard: in focus
Originally formed in 1966 and under the same directorship since April 1982, Securi-Guard is the largest independent security supplier in the South West of England, employing around 250 people.
The company offers guarding services throughout Devon and Cornwall, installs electronic security systems across the UK and monitors alarms from its headquarters 24 hours, 365 days of the year.
Securi-Guard also monitors CCTV and vehicle tracking both in the UK and across Europe. The company is a Security Industry Authority (SIA) Approved Contractor and is Quality Assured to British Standard EN ISO 9001/2000.
Securi-Guard has three National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Gold awards for the installation of security systems, monitoring of intruder and fire alarms and for CCTV monitoring.