Norwich East of England Co-op stores fundraise for e-bike for the East of England Ambulance Service
Date: 11 June 2025Twelve East of England Co-op stores across Norwich are gearing up to raise vital funds for the East of England Ambulance Service Charity this summer, through the retailer’s Local Giving campaign. They are aiming to raise £6,000 to buy a new e-bike for the ambulance cycle response unit based in the city.
The cycle response unit answers emergency calls like any ambulance. They carry a full range of life-saving medical equipment in a compact form. And they play a critical role in delivering rapid medical care in busy, central areas of Norwich. On average, they attend eighty-seven patients a month, providing medical help. In the last year, they have provided life-saving care to nine patients in cardiac arrest.
“Our current response bike, fully kitted, weighs around 50kg, so having an e-bike will make an enormous difference when carrying all our medical equipment quickly to patients.
“Although Norfolk is quite flat, Norwich city has its fair share of hills, so it keeps us pedalling hard! We can cover over forty miles a day during our 10–12-hour shifts, so the e-bike will help us respond faster and more efficiently, getting to our patients when every second counts.” Said Katie Houston, Cycle Response Unit Paramedic in Norwich.
Each summer and winter, the East of England Co-op runs its Local Giving campaign in which colleagues at stores and branches across East Anglia choose a local charity that is important to them to fundraise for. Any money raised goes directly to their chosen charity, alongside a £150 donation from the retailer themselves. This summer, twelve East of England Co-op stores across Norfolk will be supporting the East of England Ambulance Service Charity with every contribution going towards providing the Norwich cycle response unit team with an e-bike. Stores and branches will have collection pots, the option to donate at the till or via the JustGiving page.
Angela Carpenter, Community Support Lead for the East of England Co-op said: "We're proud to be supporting over 100 different charities through our Local Giving campaigns this summer.
“Our colleagues are at the heart of our communities, and they have a unique perspective on what’s important to people in their local areas. Local Giving is all about raising funds for local organisations that are making a difference to people’s lives and raising awareness of the work they do so that our community can benefit from them.”
Anyone wishing to support the East of England Ambulance Service Charity campaign can donate on the JustGiving page.
“The power of community fundraising is inspirational! We would like to thank everyone who donates to this incredible campaign. Your help with funding this e-bike could be lifesaving.” Commented Kate Lott, Head of Charity.
