2025 marks 25 years of Yorkshire Air Ambulance flying across the region, saving lives and supporting patients and families when they need it most. As part of our celebratory podcast series, Summat in t’Air, we joined our South Yorkshire fundraising team for a very special community event – Barnsley Live.
Listen to the podcast below, and find the readable version just underneath.
Barnsley Live is a huge one-day music festival in Barnsley town centre. With 29 venues and thousands of music lovers turning out, it’s a perfect chance to raise funds and share our message with the community. And this year, Yorkshire Air Ambulance was proud to be the festival’s chosen charity.
Early starts, gazebos and generosity in the streets
Our Fundraising Manager, Holly Whitehouse, had her hands full from the moment the van doors opened.
“There was a lot to carry this morning, but before we’d even set everything up, people were already donating. It happens a lot – these community events really matter, not just for donations but for raising awareness. There are still people who don’t realise we’re a charity.”
Buckets in hand, the team joined the parade that officially opened the festival, with singing, dancing and plenty of Yorkshire spirit.
Buckets, badges, hats and helping hands
Alongside bucket collections across the venues, the team set up a bustling fundraising stall near the main stage. Community Fundraiser Karina showed us some of the most popular items including trolley coins, keyring and fridge magnets, branded water bottles, hat and bags and one of the newest items, a Yorkshire-themed notebook with artwork by Luce & Bear, a clear favourite.
“People love taking home a little keepsake that reminds them of why they supported us – and every time someone uses a bag or wears a cap, they’re helping us spread the word.”
For young festival-goers, volunteer Brian was in charge of Spin the Wheel, which was a huge hit.
“It’s so important that children grow up knowing why charities like this matter. Life is precious. And when someone says ‘thank you’- those two little words make everything worthwhile.”
Meet some of the volunteers
Not all heroes wear helmets or flight suits – some carry buckets and raffle books.
Emma, a South Yorkshire volunteer, said, “I started volunteering about six years ago after seeing someone airlifted from Barnsley FC. It made me realise just how important Yorkshire Air Ambulance is.”
Gareth, volunteer and former private pilot added “People are always shocked to learn we’re not government funded. I do this because Yorkshire has been good to me, and this is my way of giving back.”
Why Barnsley Live chose Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Event organisers Kev and Rachel shared why the partnership means so much:
“You save people’s lives and need the funding to do it. With so many people in town today, we can make a massive difference.” Their message was simple:
🎵 Enjoy the music
💛 Scan a QR code or pop change in a bucket
🚁 Help keep the helicopters flying
Questions for the crew
Festival visitors had lots of brilliant questions for Paramedic Gemma, including:
What’s the most satisfying job you’ve done?
“Any patient who comes back to see us. We don’t always get to hear what happens after we leave the hospital, so when someone returns to say thank you, it means the world.”
How fast can the helicopter fly?
“Around 120 knots, roughly 150mph, depending on the wind.”
How do you fit patients inside?
“We have a special stretcher that wheels right into the aircraft and can also be used in hospital.”
Stories that stay with us
Holly shared just one of the many unforgettable moments from her work:
“A dad told us his son fell through a roof years ago retrieving a rugby ball. We airlifted him – and now he’s playing rugby professionally. Hearing stories like that keeps us going.”
Some supporters even go a step further. One visitor proudly revealed he had the YAA logo tattooed across his back simply because he admired the work so much!
Supporters who make it all possible
Throughout the day, people came to donate, buy ponchos when the rain arrived, or share why Yorkshire Air Ambulance matters to them:
“If anything deserves support, it’s the air ambulance.”
“As bikers, we know how important you are.”
“One landed in my field once – you saved a life I saw with my own eyes.”
Every story, every conversation, every coin in a bucket helps save lives.
A final word from Holly
“It’s a big job made up of lots of little jobs. Yes, the days can be long, but the stories we hear and the lives we help – that’s why we do it. We’re here for the people of Yorkshire.”
Thank you, Barnsley
To the organisers, volunteers, musicians, businesses, and every person who donated – you helped keep us flying.
