With £2.4 million donated to support local good causes since the charity shop was established in 1999, Bullock Fair celebrated its 25th anniversary in May 2024. We were thrilled to be invited to mark this milestone moment with them at a special celebration event.

One of Bullock Fair’s Managing Directors, Sally Wilkinson, who is also the daughter of Founder, Alec Garrard, told the inspiring story of Bullock Fair’s origins. Alec, who sadly died 2010, established the building to create a community space for local people to enjoy. He also wished to raise funds to benefit local charities. From there, Bullock Fair’s purpose and sense of community gathered pace, with local people getting behind the scheme by offering donations for regular bring and buy sales. This gradually evolved and led to the known and loved Bullock Fair charity shop of today, which sells a variety of pre-loved clothing and bric-a-brac items.

Rural Harleston is some distance from the regional hospitals in Norwich and Ipswich. The Bullock Fair team often saw the yellow helicopter flying overhead as the crew responded to some of the most seriously ill and injured patients across the region, and they decided to support EAAA from 2004. The incredible Bullock Fair team believe there is a lot of local support for EAAA, as there’s a feeling that members of the community never know if or when they may need urgent critical care.

EAAA CEO, Matthew Jones, said: “It was wonderful to be invited to join Bullock Fair’s recent 25th anniversary celebrations. Their support for East Anglian Air Ambulance, raising £1 million over the last twenty years, is utterly remarkable. This generous support has had a truly life-saving impact for many people over the years, and an even greater effect when the wider community of family and friends around each patient is considered. It’s a genuine honour to have celebrated this significant milestone with them.”

EAAA receives no regular government funding, relying almost entirely on public support. With each mission costing an average of £3,750, this wonderful support from Bullock Fair is more important than ever in getting advanced critical care to people experiencing life-threatening emergencies.

Matthew continues “A heartfelt thank you to Bullock Fair, and of course, the local community who also so generously provide their support. Together, we really do save lives.”