General

An Army veteran whose prosthetic leg literally saved his life after a road traffic accident is set to appear on the TV series Helicopter ER.

Scott McNiece, from Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire was driving on the A1M on his way to pick up his daughter from school. The weather was treacherous and as Scott moved from the outer to the middle lane for better visibility, he collided with a broken low loader van that was stationery without its hazard lights on.

Speaking of his incident, Scott said: “I was travelling down to Rutland to pick up my daughter and I was in the slow lane behind a truck that was spraying me with rainwater. I couldn’t see what was ahead, so I pulled into the middle lane for better visibility, but unfortunately, there was a broken-down truck with no hazard lights and I didn’t have time to brake.”

A motorist who witnessed the incident stopped to call emergency services and to check on Scott, whose car ended up on its side in the layby.

Scott was trapped in his vehicle by a prosthetic leg he had fitted following an incident whilst serving in Afghanistan in 2018, but miraculously had no other visible injuries at the time. His service dog Ruby, who was travelling him that day, also escaped the incident relatively unscathed as she landed in the footwell upon impact.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance dispatched their Topcliffe aircraft and after an assessment from their Paramedics, Scott was deemed stable enough to travel by road to Leeds General Infirmary. His dog Ruby was taken to the vet for a checkup by the police.

Tests at the hospital revealed that Scott had fractured several ribs and broke his foot. Had Scott’s other leg not been the prosthetic, it would have been devastated by the collision and could have led to life-threatening injuries.

Scott said: “All the components of my prosthetic leg are made from titanium.  When the bonnet of the van crushed forward, the position of my leg stopped the impact. I was really lucky”

Speaking of his service dog Ruby, he continued: “I was worried about Roo. She had a cut on her nose after the incident and she was a little bit tentative when we first took her out in the car again, but she settled down eventually. After a week or two, she was back to her normal self.”

The episode, which airs on Channel Really on 7^th September 2021, also features a boy knocked down by a car in North Yorkshire and a patient who fell from a horse in Keighley.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) serves 5 million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,300 missions every year. The Charity operates two, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters and needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep saving lives.

Brits spending more time in the UK has led to a rise in leisure-related incidents for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, new data reveals.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is an independent Charity which needs to raise £12,000 every single day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances in the air and maintained.  This is equivalent to £4.4million each year.

The ‘staycation effect’ brought on by limited travel abroad due to COVID-19 restrictions has led to an influx of leisure related emergencies from walking injuries to drownings for the YAA.

Falls from height, which includes climbing in some of Yorkshire’s tourist hotspots has seen a 20% (95)  increase this year so far compared to 2020 (79)  and cycling incidents have risen by as much as 39% (33 in 2020 and 46 in 2021).

Motorcycle incidents have also seen nearly a quarter increase (23%) and road traffic incidents involving vehicles has risen by nearly a fifth (18%).

The 17-35 age group have been the most treated patient age for motorcycle and road traffic incidents, whereas 40-65 year olds were the most treated patients from leisure activities such as falls and cycling incidents.

Like many other emergency services across the UK, Yorkshire Air Ambulance has also responded to a significantly higher percentage of people getting into difficulties in open water. In the last six months, the charity has responded to 15 such incidents, compared to 9 in 2020 and 6 in 2019. This has led the Charity to join forces with 29 other local organisations to highlight the importance of being water-wise.

Matt Syrat, Clinical Operations Manager for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “After a very turbulent year and a half, it’s no surprise that many people are out and about enjoying their newfound freedom and as a charity, the number of incidents we are attending has increased as a result of this.

While we want people to enjoy their summer, we would also like to urge people to remain safe and be aware of common hazards that the hot, sunny weather may bring.  Sadly we’ve been to too many incidents recently where the outcome wasn’t positive so we urge people to take care, especially when swimming or playing in open water”

*Data taken from 1^st January 2021 – 9^th August 2021 vs 1^st January 2020 – 9^th August 2020.

On February 23rd 2021, Imran Choudhury from Oldham, was training on Saddleworth Moor for a Kilimanjaro sponsored walk he was due to take part in for the NHS. He stopped at the famous Trinnacle landmark and asked two passers-by to take his photograph. When he started climbing back down, he blacked out and fell 200ft and was left clinging to a 50-degree slope in the ravine.

Speaking of his incident, Imran said: “I woke up that morning, had something to eat, drove to Dovestones and started walking. It was a very steep climb and I was walking against the wind that day. I took lots of photos and videos and went to the Trinnacle where two people took my photo. I did a live video for social media and actually said at the end of it, if someone fell from here that would be the end for them. I started to climb down and that’s the last thing I remember.”

Two horrified walkers, Carly and Nadine, saw Imran plummet down the hill and phoned the emergency services. Whilst Nadine climbed down to help Imran, Carly called for help and another couple, Caroline and Paul, saw the women in distress and also offered to assist. Paul managed to brave the descent to Imran’s aid and stayed with him throughout his rescue. YAA dispatched their aircraft with Pilot Lee Holmes, Doctor Andy Pountney, and Paramedics Al Day and James Allen on board.

The weather was treacherous that day with extremely strong winds making the rescue mission one of the teams most challenging ever.  James Allen, YAA Hems Paramedic, said: “It was blowing a gale and the ground was crumbling away in places. If any of us had lost our footing, it would have been game over.”  Imran was also fortunate that day as Paramedic Al Day also has extensive Mountain Rescue Team experience so brought vital experience and knowledge to the rescue mission.

Imran had sustained a catalogue of serious injuries and it was imperative that he received urgent hospital care in order to save his life. Paul stayed with Imran, essentially to stop him rolling down the ravine, whilst the medics carried out emergency care.

YAA Pilot Lee tried to relocate the aircraft to the bottom of the hill in hope that Mountain Rescue volunteers and YAA clinical staff could carry him down. However, the wind was too

strong as he approached the valley. “I was presented with a wind that was trying to kill me from both directions”, said Lee.

A Search and Rescue Helicopter was subsequently dispatched and was eventually able to winch Imran to safety, he was then flown to Sheffield Northern General Hospital by the waiting Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter.

Tests revealed that Imran had broken two skull bones, one of which penetrated his brain and caused serious internal bleeding. He also broke his shoulder, shoulder blade, spinal bone, a small bone in his leg left and badly damaged his right leg in six places. Imran spent three weeks in an induced coma.

“When I woke up from the coma I didn’t know where I was or what had happened. I thought that I was in Bangladesh. It took some time to realise the extent of my injuries”, said Imran. He has since made a good recovery, but still undergoing treatment for his injuries.

Speaking of the people who helped him that day, he said: “Without the members of the public, the emergency services wouldn’t have come to my rescue as they called them and without the emergency services, I wouldn’t be here today. They are my angels who saved me. I’m so grateful for their help. It was a very challenging rescue and it’s amazing what they did to save me.”

Imran has remained friends with Carly, Nadine, Caroline, and Paul who stayed with him during his accident and has since met up with the Mountain Rescue team who helped him and the YAA crew.  Imran has thanked those involved by providing them with a huge curry

meal from their family takeaway The New Polash in Chadderton which was enjoyed by the YAA at their airbases a few weeks ago.

YAA Doctor Andy Pountney, said: “I’m really proud to have been part of the team at the beginning of Imran’s journey, to be part of that team who gave him the initial treatment and helped get him off the hillside. I feel privileged to be in a position to help someone like that.”

YAA Paramedic Al Day, said: “Whilst raising money for charity, Imran has had an accident which has resulted in being rescued by three organisations, two of which are charities – Mountain Rescue and Yorkshire Air Ambulance. He doesn’t owe anything to Mountain Rescue or Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the people that have really saved Imran’s life are the people who put 50p in a collection box or organised a bake sale. Those are the people who saved Imran’s life and it’s very comforting.”

Imran’s episode will air on 31^st August at 10 PM on Channel Really.

Hull-based safety expert Arco has renewed its long-standing commitment to Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) with £75,000 worth of support pledged over the next three years. The new agreement will raise Arco’s total contribution to £300,000 since its partnership with the charity began nearly a decade ago. The pledge not only includes the financial contribution but, Arco has also supported the design and provision of specialist clothing which will help YAA provide its lifesaving emergency service to five million people across Yorkshire.

YAA needs to raise £12,000 every day to help save lives and keep families together longer. Its air ambulance flights, capable of transforming a 20-mile journey into ten minutes, ensure those who need assistance in the UK’s largest county get the help they need as rapidly as possible. As an independent charity, YAA is reliant on the generosity of its donators to maintain and provide its vital service. Through its principal partnership with Arco, the charity will receive £20,000 a year donation, as well as £5,000 of clothing and products taking the total contribution over the length of the new three-year partnership to £75,000.

The YAA team often works in extreme conditions and needs to rely on their uniforms and equipment to protect them. As experts in safety, Arco’s product credit will help YAA with essential supplies and specialist clothing for staff and volunteers, while the annual £20,000 donation will help keep its aircraft maintained and facilitate its lifesaving work.

David Evison, Managing Director of Arco, says, “Yorkshire Air Ambulance places the wellbeing and safety of people at the forefront of everything it does to save human life across the county and the surrounding area. As a business with its roots in Yorkshire and a dedication to safety, we are extremely proud to support a mission so closely aligned to our own; keeping communities and people safer.”

Katie Collinson, Corporate & Partnerships Manager of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, says, “We have been overwhelmed by Arco’s generosity since 2012 and we’re extremely grateful for the continued support. Like many charities and businesses across the UK, Yorkshire Air Ambulance has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions have affected our ability to hold fundraising events, resulting in a significant fundraising deficit. However, with support from organisations like Arco, we can continue our vital work.”

Multiple organisations across Yorkshire have joined forces to encourage people across the entire region to learn about the dangers of open water swimming, after recent hot weather has led to a spate of tragic water incidents on beaches and in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and canals.

Due to extremely hot temperatures in the last few weeks, people have been looking for ways to cool off, often choosing to go for a swim in the various water bodies across Yorkshire. Unfortunately, many people have little or no experience in open water and don’t realise the dangers so quickly find themselves getting into difficulty.

In response, 30 organisations in Yorkshire have come together for the first time to really drive home the importance of being water wise and understanding how to be safe in and around water. All Fire and Rescue Services, Police forces and Local Resilience Forums across Yorkshire, together with several Local Authorities, Yorkshire Water, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, the Environment Agency, Canal & River Trust, HM Coastguard, the RNLI, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) and Outdoor Swimming Society are backing a campaign to increase awareness of the dangers of open water swimming for inexperienced people.

Dave Walton, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for WYFRS and co-Chair of West Yorkshire Prepared, said: “Unfortunately, as many people will have seen in the news, there has been a marked increase in the number of tragic water incidents recently, which have required the assistance of emergency services across Yorkshire. Sadly, in most cases, these incidents would have been preventable if more people were aware of the multitude of hazards when entering open water bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, canals, rivers and the sea.”

Since last summer, there have been at least 180 inland water incidents across Yorkshire, 18 of which resulted in fatalities. Nationally, in just 10 days (from 10^th to 20^th July 2021) there were 10 coastal deaths. Knowing and understanding the hazards of open water – both inland and at the coast – could help to drastically reduce the number of people who get into difficulty each year. Some key messages to remember when entering open water, are:

• Do not drink and dive – Alcohol and swimming do not mix! Alcohol badly affects judgement, swimming ability and body temperature
• Stick together – whether they swim with you or watch from the shore, always make sure you have someone with you who can call for help if you get into difficulties. Always keep an eye on non-swimmers and children, even in shallow areas as they may unexpectedly drop off steeply.
• Read the signs – Literally, read the signs! If the landowner has put signage up saying the water isn’t safe to enter please take notice. There could be dangerous currents, obstacles or poor water quality, even if it looks okay on the surface.
• Acclimatise – cold water shock kills – As hot as it may be on land, water bodies in Yorkshire remain very cold all year round. Jumping or diving into cold water can cause a gasp reflex, which may cause you to inhale water, followed by rapid breathing (hyperventilation) which can lead to panic and possibly drowning. Paddling/wading gives your body the chance to adjust to the temperature and helps reduce the risk.
• What lies beneath – Unexpected obstacles, machinery, strong rips or currents and hidden depths are all dangers to experienced and non-experienced swimmers alike.
• If in doubt, stay out – if you’re at all unsure of the water temperature, depth or quality, or don’t know if there are hidden dangers (e.g. obstacles, currents), don’t risk it. Swim at a lifeguarded area instead.

When swimming at the coast, choose beaches with lifeguards, adhere to local warning flags and signs and make sure you are aware of tide times. If you get caught in a rip current in the sea, don’t try to swim against it – instead, follow the RNLI’s Float to Live advice.

Nick Ayers, Regional Water Safety Lead at the RNLI, said: “If you do decide to go swimming – whether in open water or at a swimming pool – and end up getting into difficulty, the simplest but most important advice is Float to Live. Fight your instinct to thrash around. Lean back and extend your arms and legs. Float until you can control your breathing. Only then, call for help or swim to safety.

“If you see someone in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112. If you’re at the coast, ask for the Coastguard. If you’re inland, ask for the fire service.”

“For those keen to take part in open water swimming, there are many local outdoor swimming clubs and groups who can offer advice on the safest way to take part in the activity.  The Outdoor Swimming Society offers support and access to networks for anyone wanting to take part – www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com.”

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) also has a raft of information available on their website – www.rlss.org.uk/dpw – including important water safety lessons, resources and toolkits for children and families, which are all free to access.

RLSS UK’s Charity Director, Lee Heard, said: “As tempting as it may be to go for a quick dip on a hot day, open water swimming can be dangerous even for the most experienced swimmers due to a multitude of hazards. If you’re at all unsure, the best advice is to stay out of the water or find a swimming area with lifeguards.”

Matt Syrat, Clinical Operations Manager for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We have recently been involved with an unprecedented amount of incidents where someone has gotten into trouble whilst swimming in Yorkshire’s water areas. This, unfortunately, has resulted in tragic consequences from situations that could have often been prevented just by people being aware of the serious dangers some of these locations present”

Water safety messages will be shared throughout summer using #WaterWiseYorkshire and we urge everyone to take notice of them and share with friends and family, to ensure as many people as possible know how to stay safe in water so we avoid further tragedies. Please visit the organisations’ websites or follow them on social media for updates.

Ends

Issued on behalf of West Yorkshire LRF, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire LRF, North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, South Yorkshire LRF, South Yorkshire Police, Humberside LRF, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, Humberside Police, all five West Yorkshire Local Authorities, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, City of York Council, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Yorkshire Water, Canal & River Trust, RNLI, Royal Life Saving Society UK, Welcome To Yorkshire, Outdoor Swimming Society, HM Coastguard and the Environment Agency.

A woman seriously injured outside Halifax Piece Hall last year, resulting in the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) landing in the Grade I listed building’s courtyard, is organising a charity walk on her 80^th birthday for her YAA lifesavers.

On 30^th January 2020 Loraine Greenwood from Halifax was collecting items for a church coffee morning when she was hit by a bus.

Due to the severity of the injury, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance was dispatched. As the aircraft requires a large landing space, the only place suitable in the town centre was the courtyard of Grade I listed 18^th century building, the Piece Hall.

The YAA Critical Care Team made a decision to fly Loraine to Leeds General Infirmary and she spent 10 hours in an operating theatre undergoing reconstructive surgery.

The eight-mile walk organised by Loraine and her close friends for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which is also open to the public, will take place on Saturday 4^th September setting off at 10am from St Matthew’s Church in Northowram. Event organisers are hoping to sell 100 tickets to members of the public.

Tickets for the walk cost £10 for adults, £5 for under 16s and £5 per dog. Included in the tickets are pie and peas at the church afterwards.  The pie and pea meal can be pre-ordered for those not taking part on the walk for £5. Closing date for the walk and pie and peas is 28^th August 2021 and no further entries will be permitted on the day.

There will also be an opportunity to meet Yorkshire Air Ambulance fundraisers at the walk to ask questions about the charity and learn all about their lifesaving work in the Halifax area.

Speaking of the incident, Loraine said: “I could have lost my leg or my life. I cannot thank the emergency services, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the doctors and nurses at the hospital enough for everything they have done for me. I’m so grateful that I have a life and I’ll do the best I can with it.”

Event organiser Linda McCormick, said: “Yorkshire Air Ambulance is such an important local charity, and they need all the support they can get to keep them flying across the region and saving lives. We’re looking forward to celebrating Loraine’s 80^th birthday and raising vital funds for such a worthwhile cause.”

Vickie Bowden, West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for YAA, said: “We would like to thank Loraine and her friends and family for organising this walk.

It costs £12,000 a day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and in the air and the money raised will help greatly towards the vital funding of our service.”

To enter the walk contact Linda McCormick on 07733 192864 or download and complete the entry form and return to the address found on the form.

Barbara Barnes, the widow of Holmfirth resident Norman Barnes who died of a sudden cardiac arrest whilst out for a walk less than a few miles from home has raised £2,500 for two local charities in memory of her husband.

The £2,500 was split between Kirkwood Hospice and Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the money was raised through the sale of raffle tickets. Barbara had organised an in-memory event with a raffle to benefit both charities, but due to COVID-19, the event was cancelled. Attendees decided that despite the event not going ahead, Barbara could still donate the money to charity.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance was dispatched to Norman’s incident, but sadly they were unable to save him.

Barbara said: “I have had huge support from my wonderful family, great friends and caring neighbours who are all happy for me to donate £1,250 to each charity. It was a pleasure to support two very deserving charities, thank you for all your very caring hard work.”

Angela Vyas, West Yorkshire Community Fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We would like to pass our sincere condolences to Barbara, her family and friends and thank them all for their generosity.

It costs £12,000 a day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and in the air and the £1,250 raised will help greatly towards the vital funding of our service.”

ENDS

Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a lifesaving rapid response emergency service 365 days a year to the five million people across Yorkshire. On average, the charity responds to five incidents across the entirety of the region every single day.

Between 1^st April 2020 and 31^St March 2021, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance treated 922 patients across Yorkshire, more than a fifth (21%) of patients were from South Yorkshire (196). Of those responded to in South Yorkshire, 8% were also flown to hospital for lifesaving treatment (15).

Road traffic incidents involving motorcyclists (22) and road traffic incidents (22) involving pedestrians were the most common incidents in South Yorkshire during 2020, followed closely by vehicle road traffic (21) incidents and then cardiac arrests (19).

July (23) was the busiest month in the South Yorkshire region and Fridays (33) were the busiest days for incidents. This is compared to April and Tuesdays the previous year. Weekend incidents rose by 4% in the last financial year (87).

The majority of incidents in the South Yorkshire region were in Doncaster (78), followed by Sheffield (38) and then Barnsley (32). The average patient age was 17-39 years old (74).

Of the 196 patients treated, Yorkshire Air Ambulance was the first emergency service on the scene for more than 1 in 10 incidents (19%) and 4% of patients were given a potentially lifesaving blood transfusion on-scene (7).

Nearly a third (28%) of missions resulted in our specialist Paramedics travelling with the patient in the land ambulance to the hospital (55), where it was deemed quicker or medically necessary to go by land rather than air.

Three times more men were treated than female patients and one in ten (10%) incidents involved children aged 2 – 16 (22).

Matt Syrat, YAA Clinical Operations Manager, commented: “Being a South Yorkshire lad born and bred, the region always holds a special place in my heart. I spent my entire pre hospital career serving South Yorkshire, before moving to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance in 2012, and it ensured I had a well rounded and varied insight into life. South Yorkshire has one of the most expansive areas of motorway, rail and road networks in the region meaning that the Air Ambulance can make all the difference to rural areas and long distances to major trauma centres.”

*Data taken from the last financial year 1^st April 2020 – 31^st March 2021 and the previous financial year 1^st April 2019 – 31^st March 2020. The numbers in brackets refer to the amount of patients or percentage treated by Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Jean Dixon from Scarborough, has been volunteering for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance for more than 18 years and has raised more than £750,000 through running the air ambulance’s only dedicated charity shop at the Scarborough Market vaults, and through public speaking.

A year ago, well-known Jean was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Honours for her services to charity, and yesterday, on the 7^th July, Jean alongside her family and close friends, finally received her medal at the Camp Hill Estate in Bedale which was presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Jo Ropner.

Jean has been running businesses from Scarborough Market Hall for over 57 years and in 2004, shortly after her retirement, she decided to take on an empty stall and raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance as a volunteer.  She started off in the original market hall with one small stall, and over the years expanded to being a considerable part of the old market hall.  Then after the market hall refurbishment in 2017, Jean and her team relocated downstairs to the market vaults where they’ve been since.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance shop now consists of two vaults on the lower ground floor of Scarborough Market, with a dedicated clothing shop selling high-quality fashion donated by dress agencies. Over the last 18 years, with help from her dedicated volunteer team through attending various events, as well as being a public speaker for the Charity, Jean has helped raise over £750,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Jean was nominated for the award by Jim Goodman, a regular customer of the Scarborough Market vaults charity store, after him seeing Jean’s work for the Charity first hand.

Speaking of her award, Jean said: “I’m over the moon. I had a fantastic day out with my friends and family at the ceremony and I’m so happy to receive this award for my work.  I didn’t set out to do anything like this as not many people knew who the Yorkshire Air Ambulance were when I started.

I said to myself when I joined the air ambulance that I’d like to raise over £1 million pounds and my son said I was a little bit ambitious, but we’re now more than three-quarters of the way there. I just hope I live long enough to make the other quarter of a million.”

She continued: “It was very hard work, but worth every minute of it and I’m really proud of how far the charity has come. I’m amazed by the people of Yorkshire being so dedicated to the air ambulance, it really does help us raise the vital funds to keep the helicopters airborne and saving lives across the region.”

Peter Sunderland Chairman of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “On behalf of everyone from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, we would like to say well done and congratulations to Jean on receiving her British Empire Medal and a huge thank you for her continued support and dedication towards the Charity. Jean is a valued member of our volunteering team and a firm part of the YAA family. It is great to see her receive the recognition she deserves for everything she has done for us. It is an honour to have her as part of our team.”

The YAA provides a lifesaving rapid response emergency service to 5 million people across 4 million acres of Yorkshire. It costs £12,000 every single day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and in the air.

For more information please contact Yorkshire Air PR and Communications Officer, Jessica McDonnell on j.mcdonnell@yaa.org.uk or 01422 237900/ 07384517193

Seven-year-old Harry who lives near Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s air support unit in Wakefield has raised an impressive £580 by shaving his beloved Mohawk for the lifesaving charity.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is a rapid response lifesaving charity serving 5 million people across Yorkshire. Last year the service carried out 1,365 missions across the region and treated 922 patients.

Harry has been a fan of Yorkshire Air Ambulance since he was three years old when he started watching Helicopter ER and seeing the helicopter fly over his home. He would often walk with his mum to the nearby fields to see the helicopter lift off and arrive back at the base after their lifesaving missions.

Everyone who knows Harry, knows of his iconic Mohawk. His distinctive haircut has been his pride and joy throughout his childhood. However, after his mum suggested he should have his hair cut for charity, he agreed to brave the shave for YAA.

Melinda, Harry’s Mum set up a Just Giving Page and waved goodbye to his distinctive haircut on Saturday 3^rd July. To date, the fundraiser has raised an impressive £580 and Harry is in awe of the support he has received from his family, friends and teachers and keeps telling everyone how he’s ‘helping save lives across Yorkshire’.

Harry can’t wait to get his hair style back and he said: “I did this for charity, not forever.”

Melinda, said: “Harry has suspected autism and we’re currently awaiting a diagnosis, so change can be incredibly difficult for him. Harry would often say he doesn’t feel like Harry without his Mohawk if his hair was left flat. I am extremely proud of Harry for shaving his hair, I can’t even find the words to tell you how proud I am. Not only has it lifesaving funds for charity, but it has hopefully shown Harry that change can often be a good thing.”

Helen Berriman, West Yorkshire Community Fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “Harry is a little superstar, he has really embraced the fundraising challenge and we’re incredibly thankful for Harry’s support.

It costs £12,000 a day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and in the air and the money raised from Harry’s head shave will help greatly towards the vital funding of our service. Well done Harry!”

To support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and to donate to Harry’s JustGiving page, check out:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/harry7

Former patients of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance have shared the reasons why they support the Charity as part of the new ‘What’s Your Why?’ campaign to promote Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s annual fundraising event, Yellow Yorkshire Day.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is a life-saving rapid response charity serving 5 million people across 4 million acres of Yorkshire and carries out over 1,300 missions every year. The Charity operates two state-of-the-art Airbus H-145 helicopters and needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep saving lives.

Yellow Yorkshire Day is an annual fundraising event held on the first Friday in July, to raise vital funds for the Charity.  Each year thousands of pounds are raised by people dressing in yellow or organising a yellow themed fundraising event.  This year it will be held on Friday 2^nd July.

This year’s Yellow Yorkshire Day theme celebrates the reason why people support the Charity and include messages from former patients to their staff and volunteers who help to raise the £12,000 a day it costs to keep the air ambulances flying across the region.  Patients featuring in this year’s campaign include:

Charlie Gobedhere

On the 8^th August 2019, 10-year-old Charlie from South Yorkshire and his sister, 9-year-old Emma were travelling by car to Pickering station with their grandad, to catch the train over to Whitby for a day out when they were all involved in a serious road traffic collision

Yorkshire Air Ambulance was dispatched with their Critical Care Team onboard, and due to the severity of Charlie’s injuries, he was flown directly to the major trauma unit at Leeds General Infirmary.  Tests revealed that Charlie had sustained some very severe injuries, including losing 40cm of his bowel as well as skin tissue loss. Charlie spent 8 and a half weeks in hospital and endured 11 surgeries in total, including a tummy tuck and reconstructive surgery to build a new belly button.

Nick Gobedhere, Charlie’s dad, said: “The reason why I support The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is that they are a truly remarkable service funded purely by charitable donations, without them my son may not be here anymore, they saved his life. Thank you for everything you do.”

Algy Kazlauciunas

On 4^th September 2020, Algy from North Yorkshire was cycling in Nidderdale, North Yorkshire when his bike wheel skidded on an oil slick in the middle of the road and his body was thrown on to a grass verge. Algy was flown to Harrogate Hospital, where tests revealed that he had fractured his femur.

Algy, said: “Thank you Yorkshire Air Ambulance for assisting me last year when I had a cycling incident and broke my leg and thank you for getting me to hospital on time. Also, thank you for the fantastic advice you told me about always wearing a cycling helmet. You do a fantastic job.”

Charlotte Theobald

Charlotte from Helmsley began suffering from idiopathic anaphylaxis (severe, spontaneous allergic reactions) after being stung by a wasp in 2017. Her condition hugely impacts her life as the cause of her allergies is unknown and everyday items can trigger a life-threatening reaction, causing chronic spontaneous hives, rapid swelling, and anaphylaxis, narrowing of her airways causing breathing difficulties, asthma and vocal cord dysfunction.

In July 2020, Charlotte had one of the anaphylactic episodes and was flown to hospital by Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

“I support Yorkshire Air Ambulance because they are my angels in the sky”, said Charlotte.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance are also asking supporters to send their own messages of why they support the charity. This can be done via their social media channels @YorkshireAirAmb on Twitter and Yorkshire Air Ambulance on Facebook with the hashtag #whatsyourwhy

For more information about Yellow Yorkshire Day please visit: https://www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk/get-involved/events/yaa-events/yellow-yorkshire-day-2021/

A former Yorkshire Air Ambulance patient is set to embark on a Leeds to Edinburgh cycling challenge to raise vital funds for the heroes that rescued him.

On July 20^th 2019 Chris Howie from Edinburgh had a cycling accident while cycling the ‘Etape Du Dales’ route on a cycling holiday with his friends.

It was a very wet day and during a fast descent, Chris lost control of his bike and it slipped on a cattle grid. He landed heavily on the ground.

Speaking of his incident, Chris said: “I was lying on the road for over an hour because we couldn’t get any signal to call the emergency services. Eventually, a few people were flagged down in their cars and they were able to help us. I was in a huge amount of pain and in a really bad way. I didn’t know what was happening with my arm.

I felt like I was battling to stay alive, every minute felt like an eternity and when the air ambulance arrived, it was finally the noise I had been waiting for. It was such a relief and I knew I was going to make it. At the time, it was the best sound in the world.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance assessed Chris on-scene and he was flown to Leeds General Infirmary for further treatment. Tests revealed that he had badly broken his arm and Chris endured multiple surgeries to fix it, including a bone graft.

After a couple of weeks in the LGI, Chris was transported by ambulance to Edinburgh, where he stayed in the hospital for a few more weeks. It was the ambulance journey from Leeds to Edinburgh that sparked his fundraising idea.

“I was told I wouldn’t walk for six months or cycle for a year and I might not ever race my bike again. It was a very difficult time, but the care I received was wonderful and I hope that by fundraising I can show my gratitude in a manner that might help others”, said Chris.

He continued: “The journey from Leeds to Edinburgh in the ambulance seemed quite epic, so I thought it would be a good challenge to do it again but on my bike this time, and in one day. My recovery was quicker than expected and I’m confident I could achieve this now- with the right wind!”

Chris and nine friends will set off on his epic challenge on Saturday 19^th June. He will start at the Leeds General Infirmary Jubilee Wing with Simo Turner, an anaesthetist he befriended when he was staying at the hospital and he’s hoping to reach Edinburgh by 3 or 4am the following day.

Jenny Jones, South and West Yorkshire Fundraising Manager for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: ” We would like to wish Chris and his friends the best of luck in his epic cycling challenge from Leeds to Edinburgh.

It costs £12,000 a day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and in the air and all of the support we receive is truly appreciated and will help us continue saving lives across the region.”

To support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and to donate to Chris’ Virgin Money page, check out: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=ChrisHowie4&pageUrl=1