Jean, 80, has helped to raise more than £500,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance over the last 11 years by running two stalls and a card shop at the old market hall with her team of volunteers.

The market’s refurbishment meant a move to the lower ground floor vaults, but the YAA now has an extra two units which have been combined to create a large, dedicated clothing shop selling high-quality fashion donated by dress agencies.

Jean said: “We moved down to the vaults when the refurbishment project started and now have a larger presence – with a proper clothing department – which will hopefully attract more people to come downstairs.

“Everything we sell is donated and we have such tremendous support in Scarborough from local people and visitors which we hope will continue.  We would like to thank everyone in Scarborough and the surrounding areas for their continued support and their donations to the stalls.  The support we receive is overwhelming and enables us to keep running our outlet.”

Jean ran her own business at Scarborough Market for 40 years. But after only a few weeks of retirement in 2006, she took on an empty stall and started raising money for the charity she loves.

Over the years, Jean has also attended hundreds of events, cheque presentations and talks helping to spread the word about the work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance in Scarborough and the surrounding area.

To honour her amazing contribution, Jean received a special award in 2015 from the charity, which serves 5million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,250 missions every year.

Due to their expansion into the Market Vaults, Jean is also now looking for some extra volunteers to help her keep the outlets running.

“We have a lovely team of volunteers now that work with us in the Market Vaults and with the busy summer season fast approaching we are now looking out for some extra helpers.  People can commit to as much or as little time as they can spare.  A few days, one day a week or a morning or an afternoon would be a fantastic help to us.”

The YAA needs to raise £12,000 every day and has just replaced its two, ageing aircraft with brand new, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters.

The £2.8m refurbishment of the Grade 11 listed Scarborough market building was unveiled earlier this month and was made possible through a grant from the Coastal Communities Fund, administered by the Big Lottery Fund.

The market makeover incudes new units on the main floor and the addition of a mezzanine level above to create new shops, offices and a food court.

Paul Cording, a roads policing sergeant with North Yorkshire Police, had no doubt about which charity to support when entering his first ever marathon.

“With my job, I am on the scene of quite a lot of fatal and life changing road traffic collisions and I see at first hand the amazing work the Yorkshire Air Ambulance do,” he said.

“I cover the whole of North Yorkshire which has 6,000 miles of road covering everything from very rural areas to major towns and coastal resorts and the air ambulance can get everywhere in such a short period of time.

“I see on a weekly basis the benefits the service brings in getting patients to major trauma centres within that first golden hour so they have the very best chance of survival and recovery.”

Paul, 45, is a regular hockey player rather than runner but completed the 26.2 miles in under five hours and would recommend the experience to everyone.

He added: “It was a really great day, and such a humbling experience. I have been just blown away by people’s generosity. I had an initial target of £500 and I’ve raised nearly £6,000 with Gift Aid which is just amazing.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance serves 5million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,250 missions every year. It needs to raise £12,000 every day and has just replaced its two, ageing aircraft with brand new, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters.

Linda Stead, North Yorkshire Community Fundraiser for the rapid response emergency charity, said: “We work in very close partnership with all the emergency services and we are very grateful to Paul for his amazing achievement – not just in running 26miles but in raising so much money for us.”

Photo caption: North Yorkshire policeman Paul Cording presents his cheque from running the London Marathon to (from left) Yorkshire Air Ambulance paramedic Pete Vallance, Pilot Capt Ian Mousette and paramedic Matt Syrat.

Former top advertising executive Tara Stewart is aiming to raise £50,000 for the rapid response emergency service following the accident near her family’s North Yorkshire home three years ago.

The 45-year-old tetraplegic also wants to raise a further £50,000 to support pioneering research into spinal cord regeneration. “I firmly believe that discovering a cure for paralysis will be the next great medical breakthrough of the 21st-century.”

Tara’s accident happened in July 2014, when she was thrown from her horse while riding near the family home at Stearsby, near Helmsley. She landed on her head, with the impact breaking her neck.

“I heard my neck snap and was instantly paralysed from the chest down,” said Tara, who endured a five-hour wait on the ground before a passing horse rider spotted her riderless mount and called the emergency services.

“I was a couple of fields away from home,” added Tara. “There was no road nearby and so my horse actually saved my life by staying with me.

“Stranded as I was in the middle of nowhere, it was impossible to get an ambulance to me and I knew, from the moment I hit the ground, that the only way to get me out would be by helicopter.”

A neighbouring Air Ambulance carried Tara in minutes to trauma specialists at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough as both YAA aircraft were attending other emergencies in the region.

Following an eight-hour operation to rebuild and stabilise her neck and two weeks in a medical coma, Tara spent a month in high dependency before being transferred to Pinderfields spinal unit in Wakefield where she remained for a further six months of physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

It was in hospital that Tara, and her internationally-renowned artist father David Howell, came up with an idea to raise money.

David Howell, a past President of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, has exhibited throughout the world. His work focuses on landscape and marine subjects, but he is also well known for his equestrian racing pictures, and so they decided to create a one-off, original racehorse oil with limited edition prints.

The painting is called ‘A Dirty Day at Duncombe Park’ and each print is one of a limited edition of 750, numbered and signed by David. Framed prints are £275 and unframed £150 with the proceeds being split between the YAA and Spinal Research.

Greeting cards are also available and come in packs of ten, costing £12.75.

Tara added: “My entire focus is on raising money. Obviously, I am passionate about supporting the amazing work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance. They are my local Air Ambulance and no one ever knows when they might need their services.

“As a tetraplegic, paralysed from the chest down, I also believe very passionately in the work of Spinal Research to fund a cure into spinal cord injury. I have a first-hand understanding of the absolute devastation to a life an injury like this can cause.

“Getting out of bed alone takes two hours. I used to be incredibly inpatient but I’m having to adjust to the fact that life now moves at a different pace.

“But, I am confident that we are very close to finding a cure for spinal injuries. Previously considered medically impossible, the last few years have seen some big breakthroughs in this area and more money is needed to keep pushing the frontiers of science.”

Abby McClymont, Director of Marketing & Communications added “Tara has been through a life-changing few years since her accident and she really is an inspiration to us all with her grit and determination.

“We are so grateful to both Tara and her father for choosing to support us through the sale of these beautiful prints.  It’s a wonderful way for them to be able to raise vital funds and showcase David’s fantastic work at the same time.”

Tara’s fundraising is also being supported by close friend Kate Rangeley who knows only too well just how vital Yorkshire Air Ambulance is after herself being airlifted after a horse riding accident.

For more information and to buy cards or prints please visit www.buckinghorses.co.uk

Road policing officer PC Russ Wylie was on routine patrol with a colleague near Burstwick, East Yorkshire, two years ago when his motorbike collided with a car on a bend.

The popular 28-year-old, who was engaged to be married, was airlifted to hospital by Yorkshire Air Ambulance but tragically died from his injuries the following day.

Since PC Wylie’s death, friends and police colleagues have organised a range of fund raising events and made donations through a special Police Federation JustGiving Page.

All the money given in PC Wylie’s memory is going to Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Russ’s proud father John Wylie said: “We know Yorkshire Air Ambulance does a fantastic job and give people the best possible chance by getting them to hospital so quickly.

“We have been very moved and touched by how many people have made donations in Russ’s memory – from friends and colleagues, but also people who did not even know him.

“There have been 890 separate donations on the Police Federation Just Giving page – including a police motorcyclist in the Cayman Islands and the daughter of a policeman killed on duty in America.”

PC Wylie, who attended school in Melton, near Hull, had moved from Brough to Grimsby shortly before his death to live with his fiancée Roxanne Hennebery.

Two of his closest friends Ben Holmes and Mike Woodford formed the Wylie Coyote Road Runners and,

with 13 others including Roxanne, raised nearly £4,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance after tackling the gruelling 43-mile-mile Keswick to Barrow race in the Lake District.

Ben, a retained fire fighter and engineer at BAE Systems in Brough, added: “Russ and I had been great friends since primary school. He was a funny, kind and caring person – just a great bloke – and his loss has impacted everyone that knew him.

“As a Firefighter, I’ve worked alongside the Air Ambulance on a few occasions and witnessed the great work they do. We wanted to take on the Keswick to Barrow challenge to raise money for this great charity in memory of our dear friend.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance serves 5million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,250 missions every year. It needs to raise £12,000 every day and has just replaced its two, ageing aircraft with brand new, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters.

David Hebden, Community Fundraiser for the YAA, added: “Russ’s family and friends have been a real inspiration since his tragic passing.  The strength they have found from each other to fundraise in his

memory is commendable and we are extremely grateful to everyone for their generous support.”

Caption: Ben Holmes presents his cheque on behalf of the Wylie Coyote Road Runners to David Hebden, Yorkshire Air Ambulance Community Fundraiser. Looking on are PC Wylie’s parents, John and Sue Wylie (far right standing) and his fiancée Roxanne Hennebery (second left kneeling).

YORKSHIRE Air Ambulance will be flying high and staying airborne thanks to the generosity of one of the world’s leading manufacturers of working at height equipment.

Planet Platforms, Wakefield Bondholders 150th member, has pledged to sponsor the life saving two helicopter operation as it celebrates 40 years in business and its team is pledging a series of fund raising activities on behalf of the YAA.

The Wakefield head quartered business is already a key maintenance provider for YAA but to celebrate its own landmark wanted to give something back to the community it serves.  The sponsorship will guarantee YAA’s maintenance costs for at least a year.

Planet Platforms makes bespoke working at height solutions and off the shelf scaffolding for major aviation, defence, rail, offshore and construction companies around the world and wanted to mark its anniversary reflecting its core values.

“Yorkshire Air Ambulance ethos of protecting those in danger resonated with our founding principals,” said Peter Pemberton, MD.  “Planet Platforms has worked with Air, Sea and Rescue and the YAA for many years so it seemed logical to support them in our anniversary year.

“YAA is an independent charity operating two helicopters out of Nostell Priory in Wakefield and North Yorkshire.  Being on our doorstep they were an obvious choice for our anniversary year charity.

“It costs £4.4m each year to keep both aircraft flying and provide the valuable service the public relies on.  We have already planned a series of fund raisers throughout the year in addition to the sponsorship and would urge every one to support them.”

Donations can be made at www.yorkshireairambulance.co.uk/donate

Around 15,000 are expected to enjoy a weekend of top nosh, great grub, delectable drinks, excellent entertainment and family fun. Plus, joining the event this year is celebrity Aussie Masterchef, John Torode and our local hunky Yorkshire chef, James Martin.

James Martin said, “I had a great time entertaining the crowd at the event in 2016 and I’m really excited about coming back this year”.

Each year, Events By B3, the Event Management Company behind the event, choose an official charity to support. Rachael Higgins, Company Director said ‘we are really proud to be helping The Yorkshire Air Ambulance on their way to achieving the operational costs needed to help save even more lives across our area’.

The collaboration has been welcomed by Helen Gowans, Regional Fundraising Manager who said we need to raise £12,000 per day to keep both of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s helicopters maintained and in the air. The donations received go directly into the lifesaving service provided. However, as an independent Charity we rely on the generosity of those who support the service to continue to save lives across Yorkshire.’

She added ‘we are extremely grateful to The Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival for choosing us as their Charity for this year and we are very exciting to be attending the festival over the two days. We are hoping to raise as much money as we can to help keep our helicopters in the air and helping to save lives, as well as raising awareness of the Charity and the work we do.’

The Food and Drink Festival is a weekend family event and there’s plenty for the children to do, from the Vintage Fun Fair and educational talks about birds of prey to a kid’s area full of fun activities to keep them occupied – the event has it all!

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance fundraising team will also be in attendance trying to raise even more funds to help the cause, and are encouraging all festival visitors to pop and see the team should you have any questions or wish to get involved in fundraising yourself.

Tickets are available online now from www.yorkshiredalesfoodanddrinkfestival.com

The charity which was set up in 2000 operates two helicopters, one based at Topcliffe RAF Base, near Thirsk and Nostell Priory, near Wakefield. Being on our doorstep and a Planet Platforms customer made them an ideal partner to support.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity providing a life-saving rapid response emergency service to 5 million people across the whole of Yorkshire.

To keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and in the air, the Charity needs to raise £12,000 every single day, which is the equivalent of £4.4M a year. The generosity they receive really is the life blood of the Charity.

Planet Platforms has already planned a number of events in the coming year to help raise funds and support the tremendous work that everyone at Yorkshire Air Ambulance provide 365 days a year.

Karen Brooke was a keen cyclist before the devastating accident two years ago when she slipped on ice outside her Elland home, near Huddersfield.

The former Youth Team leader was leading her horse who, startled at her fall, kicked out hitting Karen on the side of her head causing life-changing injuries.

But the life-long Huddersfield Town supporter has signed up to take part in the eighth annual Pedal for Pounds charity ride – a 260-mile ride between May 2 and 6 from Dortmund, Germany, to Huddersfield called the ‘Wagner Way’, which is being sponsored by Made by Cooper.

Karen, who can currently only walk short distances with a stick, is hoping she will be able to complete between 10 and 20 miles of the route each day on a tandem provided by the Streetbikes community cycling project, who are also providing co-riders for Karen throughout the journey.

She is now training hard for what will be a huge challenge – going on her home static bike every day, training with StreetBikes every week at Spenborough Running Track, as well as regular physiotherapy and swimming sessions.

“Before the accident I did a couple of the previous Pedal for Pound events and my brother did it last year,” said Karen. “I wanted to take part to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance through the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign, and to give myself a challenge. It is very hard but I will do it.”

The Pedal for Pounds ‘Wagner Way’, sponsored by Made By Cooper, is part of the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign between Huddersfield Town Football Club and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.  Since its launch in 2009, the partnership has raised more than £1.4m for both HTAFC’s Academy at the rapid-response emergency services Charity, with 50% of the monies raised being equally split between the two organisations.

Following her accident, Karen was airlifted in minutes by Yorkshire Air Ambulance to specialists at Leeds General Infirmary. The 51-year-old suffered two skull fractures and severe bruising and bleeding on the brain.

“I was lucky to survive,” said Karen. “I had only a slight pulse when Yorkshire Air Ambulance landed and I don’t think I would have made it without them. They saved my life.”

Karen was in a coma for two months and initially suffered personality changes as well as paralysis down her right side. She was transferred to Dewsbury Hospital where she spent a further four months in rehabilitation learning how to walk, talk, read and write again.

Karen was discharged to her specially adapted home next door to parents Kath and David. “When I came home I had carers four times a day, getting me up, cooking and putting me to bed.

“But I am very determined and, with lots of support from my family I have made myself get better so I can do things myself.”

Although the main ‘Wagner Way’ bike ride has now sold out, supporters and avid cycling fans are being invited to join the last leg of the bike ride from Hull back to Huddersfield.  The 80 mile ‘Hull to Home ride will see entrants meeting up with the P4P8 riders making their way back to Huddersfield on Saturday 6th  May.  Anyone interested in participating can find out more information and access the application form through HTAFC’s website www.htafc.com

Yorkshire Air Ambulance serves 5million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,250 missions every year. It needs to raise £12,000 every day and has just replaced its two, ageing aircraft with brand new, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters.

Katie Collinson, Partnerships Manager from Yorkshire Air Ambulance said: “We are really looking forward to having Karen back on the Pedal for Pounds bike ride this year.  Karen has been through so much over the last few years and she’s a real inspiration to us all with her grit and determination to not only learn to walk and talk again, but now to join in this epic bike ride!”

Caravan and motorhome insurance specialists Caravan Guard and Leisuredays raised £6,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance last year which has been used to buy three specialist helmets designed to fit the charity’s new night vision goggles.

The YAA recently bought two, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters which have night flying capability. The rapid response emergency service aims to introduce longer flying times, initially from its air support base at Nostell, near Wakefield, this Summer.

Halifax-based Caravan Guard and Leisure Days donate £2 to YAA for every new Gadget and Leisure and Home Emergency policy they sell. A team of 10 staff also ran Leeds 10k last year to further boost their fundraising

Director Laura Wilby said: “We’re thrilled to play our part in helping the charity with its life-saving service across Yorkshire. We know the helmets will make a real difference to their medical team, local people and visitors to Yorkshire.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep its helicopters flying. The charity serves five million people across Yorkshire, attending on average, more than 1,300 incidents a year.

Kerry Garner, YAA regional fundraising manager, said: “Caravan Guard and Leisuredays have been great supporters for a number of years now and we are very grateful.

“The helmets are an extremely vital piece of kit that our Paramedics and Pilots wear on every mission and this generous donation has helped provide these new versions.”

To donate to Yorkshire Air Ambulance visit www.yaa.org.uk/donate/

Caption: Yorkshire Air Ambulance Paramedic Paul Holmes with one of the new specialist helmets bought by donations from Caravan Guard and Leisure Days.

Ken Horner, 84 from Follifoot near Harrogate, has been volunteering for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance for over 15 years now.  The retired joiner and wheelwright has now raised in excess of £50,000 for his favourite Charity since he started fundraising in back in the early 2000’s.

His dedication and fundraising efforts were recognised by both the Charity and the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, John Furness, at a presentation at the YAA’s Northern Airbase at RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk last week.  Ken was presented with an award, along with a cheque for £250 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and £100 for himself.

The High Sheriff commented “I have known Ken for a number of years, whether at Point to Points or Horse Shows, selling his country items and walking sticks but had never realised what a huge amount that he had raised over the years for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. I am delighted to give him a ‘High Sheriff Award in recognition of the great and valuable services to the community’. I still have a Shepherd’s Crook that I bought from Ken some considerable time ago. It is a faithful companion when out walking in the countryside”

Ken has raised money over the years by different farming related fundraising initiatives.  The majority his monies raised have come from the hand-made walking sticks and Shepherds crooks he carves himself using materials he collects.  He also hosts an annual fundraising dinner each October and has been involved with farming auctions over the years also.

Ken commented “I have known the High Sheriff for many years through the local agricultural community.  I thought I had been invited to Topcliffe to see the new helicopter so I was totally surprised and overwhelmed when John presented me with my award.  I love helping the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and don’t do it for the credit.  I do it knowing that I am helping others who might need the services of the helicopter and its crew.  It was a brilliant day and I was so pleased with my award.  It means so much to me.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity providing a life-saving rapid response emergency service to 5 million people across the whole of Yorkshire. The service is operational seven days a week, 365 days a year and needs to raise £12,000 every day. The Charity currently attend over 1,000 missions a year, an average of 3 incidents every single day.   They have recently taken delivery of two brand-new state of the art Airbus H145 helicopters to enhance the service they provide to the people of Yorkshire.

Helen Callear, Regional Fundraising Manager for the YAA also added “It was such a pleasure and delight being able to watch Ken receiving this very special award from the High Sheriff.  Ken is such a well-respected man in our area and a real credit as a volunteer to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.  We are so grateful to him for raising such a huge amount of money for us over the years.  He is a very special man indeed and fully deserves to receive this award.”

Being a volunteer is a really great way to get out and about in your local area and meet people. Volunteers can do as little or as much as they want, to fit in with their lifestyle.  The Charity is always on the look out for new volunteers in the North Yorkshire area.

As part of the partnership, YAA representatives will be present at all of the Oliver’s Mount meetings throughout 2017 with collection buckets and their stall, spreading information about the rapid-response emergency service.

Peter Hillerby from Oliver’s Mount said “We are delighted to be able to support the YAA throughout 2017 and hope our spectators will get behind us help us raise as much money as we can for the Charity.”

One of the main events in the 2017 calendar will be the famous ‘Scarborough Festival of Speed’ which will take place over the May bank holiday weekend. A car and bike hill climb is due to take place on the Saturday and Sunday, and a Classic Car Rally will take place on the Bank Holiday Monday.

Peter added “We are hoping to attract a great number of spectators to these events, as their attendance will not only support Auto 66, but the Yorkshire Air Ambulance too, as this is where all of our gate money will be donated.

This weekend will be made even more memorable, as we plan to officially open the Mount’s brand new helipad, something which has been a work in progress for some time now. Although we admire the great work carried out by the team at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, we hope that we will not require them to attend any of our meetings in the future. However, we are all aware of the dangers that come with road racing, particularly around the beast that we call Oliver’s Mount, therefore the helipad will provide a safe landing place should we ever need it.”

Bob Smailes, Area Fundraising Manager from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance also added “Oliver’s Mount have been great supporters of the YAA over the years and we are extremely grateful to them for continuing to support us through the 2017 racing season.  We are looking forward to attending all their race meetings, and also meeting their spectators along the way.  We really cannot thank Oliver’s Mount enough for their ongoing support.”

Christine Bradley from Silsden, near Keighley, completed the epic swim in just under 19 hours raising over £1,650 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

“Swimming the English Channel has always been a dream of mine,” said Christine. “My Dad brought home a tattered old book from the library called ‘It’s Cold in the Channel’ which he used to read to me and I told him one day I would do it.”

Christine loved swimming as a child but that all came to an end at the age of 12 when she was hit by an articulated lorry on her way home from school.

“My injuries were pretty gruesome and very nearly caused me to lose my leg,” said 50-year-old Christine. “With massive scars behind my knee I couldn’t face the embarrassment of going back in the pool or wearing shorts”.

“This psychological block stayed with me for a further 36 years until my Dad got me into jogging and I started taking part in a range of running events and going to the gym – provided I could keep my legs covered.”

That changed in 2012 when Mum-of-two Christine was introduced to the sport of triathlon and plucked up the courage to start swimming again.

She soon rediscovered her childhood love of being in the water – so much so that she packed in her job as an IT Service Desk manager to become a fitness instructor and swimming and triathlon coach.

Getting back in the water also rekindled that childhood dream of swimming the Channel. In 2015 Christine and three triathlon friends completed the Channel Relay – “not a pleasant experience with a rough crossing and everyone suffering from sickness” – and three months ago she finally completed a solo crossing.

In temperatures ranging from 16-18 degrees, Christine set off from Dover at 3am and did not get out of the water again for another 18 hours and 56 minutes.

 “My Dad got me into jogging and I started taking part in a range of running events and going to the gym – provided I could keep my legs covered. Although the Channel is 21 miles across her swim was nearly 40 miles because of the tides and she completed a whopping 66,120 arm strokes”.

“Training in Ilkley Lido, which is always freezing, did acclimatise me a bit but I did feel really cold at times,” added Christine.

“I will never be the fastest swimmer or runner in the world but I am very determined and will always get there in the end. Half the battle is in your head with endurance sports.

“You have a support boat but you can’t have physical contact with it or any support crew, so feeds were passed to me by a fishing line. At my lowest points I was so tired I worried about falling asleep while swimming but I just kept going and I now I can say I am a solo Channel swimmer which is just amazing”

Indeed Christine, who has been nominated for the 2016 Yorkshire Choice Sporting Achievement Award, is part of a very elite group. More people have climbed Mount Everest than have swum the English Channel.

Her remarkable achievement has also raised nearly £1,700 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and over £1,200 for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

She added: “I am very lucky to be here, to have full mobility and to be able to take on these physical challenges so I wanted to give a little back”.

“My Mum died of pancreatic cancer and I also wanted to support a local charity that is there to help anyone at any time which is what the Yorkshire Air Ambulance does. It is particularly vital to people living in rural communities like ours.”

Big thanks to Christine from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, for your endurance, determination and commitment, well done!