The Wiltshire Air Ambulance charity shop in Devizes is to close on Saturday.

Owner Mandy Spedding took the difficult decision to cease trading due to a combination of factors – a downturn in trade and a knee injury.

Mrs Spedding opened the shop in Sidmouth Street in May 2009 and hoped it would raise £100,000 a year for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal but it never achieved that level of income.

In the two years it has been open more than £40,000 has been donated to the appeal by the shop.

A tearful Mrs Spedding, who lives in Devizes, said: “It was a hard decision to close the shop and I’m quite upset about it.

“I put my heart and soul into it. It raised not even a quarter of the amount I had hoped it would so, owing to the downturn of trade in the past year, I have decided not to renew the lease on the premises.

“In these difficult economic times no one can see into the future.”

Mrs Spedding is still troubled by a knee injury she sustained in a skiing accident last year in which she fractured her knee and ripped the ligaments.

She thanked customers and volunteers who have supported the shop.

Any items not sold when the shop closes on Saturday will go to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance charity shop in Westbury.

David Philpott, chairman of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal, saluted Mrs Spedding’s efforts.

He said: “We are all disappointed that the shop will be closing down but fully support Mandy in her decision. She has worked tirelessly on building awareness and profile for the charity in Devizes.

“Indeed the little shop turned into so much more than a charity shop, it has become a convenient place for supporters to drop off donations and purchase air ambulance merchandise.

“On behalf of the appeal I would like to pay tribute to Mandy and thank her and her team for all their hard work in raising funds for our vital air ambulance service.”