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A student midwife who had to learn to walk again after a horror smash is proving she’s a tough mudder to thank the Yorkshire Air Ambulance paramedics who helped save her life.

Hayley Morris was driving home after a nightshift at Bradford Royal Infirmary – her final hospital placement before qualifying as a midwife – when the accident happened in July 2013.

The 30 year-old was just two minutes from home when her car was rammed into the path of a lorry by another vehicle that drove through a red light.

“My world was turned upside down after the accident,” said Hayley, who suffered a severe brain injury.

“Fortunately the Yorkshire Air Ambulance got to me quickly and then got me to the specialists at Leeds General Infirmary in minutes. I was given a second chance thanks to them – my Angels of the sky.”

Hayley, who suffered post-traumatic amnesia, cannot remember the impact or the first of her three weeks spent in hospital being treated for a bleed on the brain.

The crash caused nerve damage down her right side and meant Hayley had to learn to walk and write again.

But 11 months later she joined family and friends walking the Three Yorkshire Peaks which raised over £2,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

And, on August 1 she hopes to raise more money for the rapid response emergency charity by completing the Yorkshire Tough Mudder event at Broughton Hall, near Skipton.

Hayley, who retook her final year and is now a qualified midwife, said: “The recovery was really hard and it was only my love for midwifery that gave me the motivation to get better.

“I’ve had such fantastic support and help from my family and friends and many health professionals – from neurologists to physiotherapists.

“They were able to do all this thanks to the life-saving charity that will always hold a special place in my heart.”

The YAA is a rapid response emergency service serving 5million people across Yorkshire, attending on average, more than 1,000 incidents a year – around three every day.

The independent charity needs to raise £12,000 each day to keep its two helicopters in the air, which is equivalent to £4.4 million a year.

You can support Hayley through her Just Giving Page at https://www.justgiving.com/TeamMozza/

185 fans walked the 19 miles from Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Air Support Unit at Nostell Priory in Wakefield to the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday 21 March in aid of the unique fundraising campaign, which benefits both the Huddersfield Town Academy and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity.

Walkers included Chairman Dean Hoyle, Commercial Director Sean Jarvis, Academy Manager Mark Lillis and Club Ambassador Andy Booth.The event, which was sponsored by HTAFC club partners Thornhill Dental Surgery, was the fourth sponsored walk which the Club has organised, with the previous three events raising a combined £60,000 for the campaign.

Andy and James Tattersfield of Thornhill Dental Surgery joined HTAFC Club Ambassador Andy Booth and Supporter Partnerships Manager Robyn Deegan and YAA Partnerships Manager Katie Collinson for the photo at PPG Canalside.

Robyn commented:   “It’s great that the latest Walk for Pounds event has generated such a terrific amount of funds for the Keep It Up campaign, taking the total for the event past £80,000 over the course of four seasons. Thanks and well done to everyone who took part and helped us reach the sponsorship total.

“Six years after the launch of ‘Keep It Up’ in 2009, the success of this event shows that Huddersfield Town fans are being as generous as ever towards the cause. “On behalf of the Club I would also like to thank Andrew, James and the rest of the team at Thornhill Dental Surgery for their sponsorship and for hosting a feed stop during the event!”

Andy from Thornhill Dental Surgery added:   “We’re delighted that Walk for Pounds 2015 has raised so much money for the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign. “The YAA is a special organisation because it gives people hope in desperate times. It is a cause that the practice team has a personal gratitude to for assistance they have given to close friends and family members in times of need.

“We are delighted that we were able to be part of such a successful event and wish the campaign long and continued success!”   Any individuals who still have funds to hand in for the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign in 2014/15 must do so by Tuesday 30 June.

Cheques made payable to the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign can be posted FAO Robyn Deegan at PPG Canalside, 509 Leeds Road, Huddersfield, HD2 1YJ. Cash can be handed in at the John Smith’s Stadium Ticket Office.

A binman blinded in a horrific accident is aiming to walk five miles to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Andrew Sedman, from Norton, suffered multiple life threatening injuries last November when the bin lorry he was working on reversed into him.

The 54-year-old fell under the wagon, miraculously escaping being crushed under its wheels. But the impact punctured both of Andrew’s lungs, caved in the right side of his chest breaking ribs, a collar bone and shoulder blade as well as damaging his liver and spleen.

Tragically, Andrew also lost so much blood, the lack of oxygen to his optic nerves has left the father-of-two permanently blind in both eyes.

“I work in recycling doing different jobs and that day I was on the bins in Malton,” said Ryedale District Council worker Andrew from Parliament Street.

“I don’t really remember much about the accident, but I was at the rear of the wagon when the driver reversed into me and I fell underneath. The next thing I remember was a week-and-a-half later in hospital.”

Andrew was flown to the specialist trauma centre at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough in minutes.

“If it was not for the air ambulance I don’t think I would be here today,” he added. “I had life threatening injuries and I’m pretty sure I would not have made it if I had gone by road ambulance.”

Andrew, his two daughters, and other family and friends are planning a five-mile sponsored walk next month in Dalby Forest.

Andrew, a keen squash player, added: “The accident has just completely changed my life. I’m lucky that one of my daughters lives at home with me and I’m coping the best I can but it’s hard.

“I try not to think about all that I have lost with my sight. I’m doing as much as I can for myself and am on the waiting list for a Guide Dog which will help.”

Andrew, who has ten metal plates holding the right side of his chest together, spent nearly five weeks at James Cook, before being transferred to York District Hospital.

His devastated daughters Suzanne, 24, and 22-year-old Erica are also coming to terms with the accident and their Dad’s blindness.

“We did not realise he had lost his sight until he was moved from intensive care to the high dependency unit,” said Suzanne from Hawthorn Avenue, Malton.

“It was a huge shock for us all. Dad has been amazing, but it’s so hard.

“I watch all the TV medical programmes, including Helicopter Heroes about the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, but I never thought that one day we would need their services.

“If they had not been there then my Dad would not have made it to hospital alive where the amazing doctors and nursing staff have done so much. That’s why we all wanted to do something to say thank you.”

The YAA is a rapid response emergency service serving five million people across Yorkshire. The independent charity needs to raise £12,000 each day to keep its two helicopters in the air, which is equivalent to £4.4 million a year.

If you would like to support Andrew’s sponsored walk please go to https://www.justgiving.com/Suzanne-Sedman/

Photo Caption:  Andrew Sedman with his daughters Suzanne (left) and Erica with Suzanne’s partner Mathew Binge who are taking part in a sponsored walk for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

He is part of a 12-strong group climbing the 12 highest peaks in the UK and Ireland in 12 months to raise money for the rapid response emergency charity.

Last June Rob’s then five year-old daughter Georgia suffered serious head injuries after falling from her horse following a riding lesson near the family home in Steeton, near Keighley.

Luckily Mum Danielle, a paediatric Sister, was on hand to provide immediate first aid. Yorkshire Air Ambulance paramedics were soon on scene, and Georgia was flown in minutes to the specialist trauma team at Leeds General Infirmary.

“She had just had a lesson and then something spooked the horse and Georgia’s foot got caught in the stirrup and she got dragged along,” said Rob, 42.

“Her head repeatedly hit the ground and she suffered an open skull fracture and lots of tiny repetitive bleeds in the brain.

“She was put into an induced coma and the first couple of days were touch and go. But because she got immediate first aid from my wife, and the air ambulance got her to the right hospital in minutes, she made it.”

Georgia was in hospital for over a week, but has thankfully fully recovered. Grateful Rob added: “It doesn’t bear thinking about what would have happened if Danielle had not been there and she had had to make the journey to hospital by road ambulance.”

Rob, managing director of credit control agency Corporate and Commercial, is a keen walker and has now teamed up with other local businessmen to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

They have so far scaled 8 out of the 12 highest peaks – many in appalling weather – and crossed off Scotland’s Ben Nevis last weekend.

The idea for the challenge came from Steve Burles, who runs Keighley digital marketing agency Puddle Digital. He added: “I love the outdoors and spend a lot of time touring on my motorbike.

“I constantly see the invaluable job the Yorkshire Air Ambulance delivers, the difference they make to saving lives, so we were delighted to team up with Rob to raise money for such a worthy cause.”

The YAA is an independent charity providing a rapid response emergency service to five million people across Yorkshire, attending over 1,000 missions a year – an average of three a day.

The charity needs to raise £12,000 each day to keep its two helicopters flying, equivalent to £4.4m a year.

Rob, Steve and their fellow climbers are hoping to complete their marathon mountain challenge by scaling Snowden in Wales, Esk Pike and England’s highest Scafell Pike in the Lake District and Ireland’s Carrauntoohill before the end of October.

To sponsor them go to www.justgiving.com/teams/12×12

The rapid response emergency charity has worked closely with Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust to develop the intensive, three-week technical crew members course.

The intake, all experienced paramedics with Yorkshire Ambulance Service, was chosen for the two-year secondment following a rigorous selection process.

New recruit Paul Holmes said: “The first day’s training was underwater escape from a helicopter and it’s been an intense learning curve, but just fantastic.”

The programme also includes mountain and swift water rescue, navigation, air safety, advanced clinical skills and crew resource management.

Pete Vallance, Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) Clinical Operations Manager, said: “This is the first year we have provided a full, in-house technical crew members course encompassing both medical and aviation aspects.

“A lot of work has gone into this from both ourselves and Yorkshire Ambulance Service to ensure we have provided training of the highest calibre.”

Ian Walton, Associate Director of Resilience and Special Services at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “As partners we take every opportunity to work together with colleagues at YAA.  Enhanced training packages and secondment opportunities for our paramedics will further enhance this vital service for the benefit of patients.”

Previously new paramedics joined the YAA on a part-time basis over three years. But this latest cohort is also the first that has been seconded full-time for two years.

Pete Vallance explained: “Because of the advancements and requirements of aircrew paramedics, we decided it would be much better to have people with us for two years on a full-time attachment.

“We found that paramedics spending a month with us and then going back on the road for a month meant they were constantly playing catch-up.

“Now, even if they are not flying, the aircrew paramedics are manning the air desk and it is a better experience for them, and a more effective way of developing their skills during their time with us.”

The YAA is a rapid response emergency service serving 5million people across Yorkshire. It has transported over 6,000 critically ill or injured people to hospital in its 14-year history.

Pete added: “The workload of land crews is much greater but the aircrew paramedics are primarily dealing with the really critical end of the patient care cycle; the most life threatening injuries that need immediate attention and rapid transport to hospital.

“As well as developing their clinical skills, the paramedics learn a lot about working together as a team in often highly pressurised working conditions.”

The YAA is an independent charity and needs to raise £12,000 each day to keep its two helicopters in the air – equivalent to £4.4 million a year.

Without any direct government funding, the only help the charity receives is through the secondment of their 14 paramedics from Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

In order to hit its target, Nexus is arranging a series of fundraising initiatives throughout the year, with activities including a Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks Challenge on 15 August which will see Nexus staff walk the gruelling 23-mile trail that includes Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Leading from the front, Nexus CEO, David Brennan will also cycle from Harrogate to Scarborough and back on a sponsored 160-mile bike ride in July.  

Since forming the partnership, eight Nexus employees have visited the Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Air Support Unit at Nostell Priory, enabling them to receive greater insight into how the service operates.

David Brennan, Chief Executive at Nexus says: “As a Yorkshire-based business we are committed to supporting this vital service, which saves lives across our region every day and is close to the hearts of so many of our customers, colleagues and partners.

“Like the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, we aim to deliver the fastest response times and are continually innovating. These shared values bring real synergy to our partnership.”  

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity providing a rapid response emergency service to five million people across Yorkshire – England’s largest region. It needs to raise £12,000 each day to keep its two helicopters flying. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance attends over 1,000 missions each year which is an average three missions every single day.

Kerry Garner, Yorkshire Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager for West and South Yorkshire added: “As an independent charity we rely solely on the generosity of the public and kind donations from businesses to ensure our helicopters and medical teams can continue saving lives across Yorkshire.

“Many of the incidents we attend occur on our region’s motorways and roads, so to have Nexus, a corporate vehicle rental provider, lending its support to this vital service is very pertinent. We are incredibly grateful to the Nexus team for their support and look forward to building a strong relationship with them as their fundraising efforts continue.” 

For the 48-year-old has won a new Suzuki Swift car – just days after being forced to scrap his old car and facing weeks of saving up to ‘buy another old banger’.

David, a press setter at Rosti McKechnie in Pickering, bought the ticket at last year’s Wartime Weekend in the town and did not give it a second thought.

“The Yorkshire Air Ambulance was there and I got my grandson a ticket for their pick-a-stick game and he won a fluffy helicopter.

“I bought a couple of raffle tickets to support the charity and never thought anything more about it but someone must have been looking down on us that day.

“It could not have come at a better time as I had to scrap my old car and we were going to be without one for a while until we could save up enough to replace it.”  

The raffle was organized by Hunmanby driving instructor Rob Scott as part of a major fundraising drive for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).

Rob and his team also converted a 15-year-old Mercedes Vito Minibus into the distinctive yellow YAA helicopter – complete with rotor blades! – to compete in last month’s Benidorm or Bust rally from Blackpool to Benidorm.

Their ‘Helivan’ won best car out of 209 vehicles that completed the 3,756-mile journey, taking part in Top Gear-style challenges along the way.

“We were absolutely delighted to win the best car trophy and kept being told we had the most famous van in Europe!,” said Rob.

He was joined on the start-line by three other cars raising money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and the rally and raffle have so far raised just over £20,000 for the rapid response emergency charity.

David, of Willow Gate, picked up his new Suzuki Swift from Scarborough’s GT Garages, who also provided Rob with a demo car for ten months to help promote raffle sales and sponsorship.

Rob, a registered volunteer for the YAA, added: “We’ve had so much support from GT Garages. It’s been incredible and we can’t thank them enough, and a range of other local companies who have given us their services and time free of charge.”

The YAA is an independent charity providing a rapid response emergency service to five million people across Yorkshire, attending over 1,000 missions a year – on average three a day.

The charity needs to raise £12,000 each day to keep its two helicopters flying, equivalent to £4.4m a year.

Caption: Raffle winner David Lawrence and wife Karen with their new car, donated by GT Garages. Raffle organizer Rob Scott (left) hands over a cheque for £20,000 to Yorkshire Air Ambulance regional fundraiser Bob Smailes.

Family and friends of a 22-year-old girl, tragically killed after a horse riding accident, have raised nearly £10,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance after a marathon mountain challenge.

Georgina Lockey, was flown by the rapid response emergency charity to Leeds General Infirmary after being thrown from her horse near the Shibden Mill Inn, Halifax, on August 18, 2013.

The popular former Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High School student, suffered a devastating brain injury in the accident.

Despite the efforts of medical staff her brain damage was so severe, her parents made the heartbreaking decision to switch off her life support two days later.

Since her death Georgina’s family and friends have been fund raising for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Cousin Laura Fairbank said: “Without the YAA’s speed, care and ability to reach Georgina in the remote rural location, she may not have been given the fighting chance in hospital.

“Her family may not have had the chance to say their goodbyes and for her to give life to others by becoming an organ donor.”

Earlier this month Laura joined Georgina’s sisters Annabel and Suzie, cousin Claire Nixon and nine close friends to tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

The 13 girls battled gale force winds, rain, hail and snow to complete the ascent of Whernside, Pen-y-ghent and Ingleborough in under 12 hours.

Annabel, 18, from Northowram, said: “Georgie loved walking and being outside and she would have loved to have done the Three Peaks Challenge.

“It was very very tough but we have just been amazed by how much support we’ve received. We originally aimed to raise £5,000 but have so far received almost twice that.”

The YAA is an independent charity providing a rapid response emergency service to five million people across Yorkshire – England’s largest region. It needs to raise £12,000 each day to keep its two helicopters flying.

On average the Yorkshire Air Ambulance attends over 1000 missions each year which is an average 3 missions every single day.

Since nursery nurse Georgina’s death, her family and friends have now raised over £20,000 for the YAA from a range of events including a fashion show, tea parties and 10K run.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager Kerry Garner said: “Georgina’s family and friends are truly amazing. They have done so much for us since Georgina’s accident and we are incredibly grateful.”

Charlotte Leighton has extra reason to celebrate riding at the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials as the event has chosen the Yorkshire Air Ambulance as its chosen charity for 2015.

Nine years ago Charlotte’s life was saved by the rapid response emergency charity after being knocked down by a car outside her home in Tollerton, near York.

She was flown to Leeds General Infirmary in ten minutes – a journey that would have taken around 40 minutes by road. “If I had gone by land ambulance it might have been too late,” said Charlotte, now 19.

She was left with multiple fractures to her forehead, eye sockets, jaw and leg and underwent pioneering facial reconstruction surgery.

The hairdresser and beautician is still undergoing treatment – with an operation in August that will involve breaking her upper jaw and putting in a titanium plate before bone grafting and implants.

But Charlotte’s injuries have never stopped her from living life to the full. She took up horse riding at the age of 12 and, with younger sister Serena, regularly competes in show jumping events across the country.

Charlotte and Serena, 15, are part of a four-strong showjumping team from York and Ainsty South Pony Club taking part in the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials between June 11-14. Other members are Holly Clayden and Nick Ireland.

Proud Mum Sue said: “Everyone gives so generously to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance because it’s a service that’s here for us.

“You never know when you are going to need it and it’s always there when you do. We never thought we would need the air ambulance but if it wasn’t for them, Charlotte would not be here today.”

Charlotte – now a registered volunteer for the YAA – and her family and friends have raised over £200,000 for the helicopter heroes that saved her life.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance needs to raise £12.000 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air, which is equivalent to £4.4 million a year.

Without any direct government funding, the only help the charity receives is through the secondment of its paramedics from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Thousands of people are expected at Bramham over the four action-packed days to watch eventing, show jumping, showing, young stock classes and Pony Club activities as well as enjoying family attractions and 160 trade stands.

Charlotte said: “Bramham is such a fantastic event and it’s such an honour to compete there, to ride in that arena, with all the surrounding stalls and marquees.

“It’s a very special atmosphere and I’m just delighted that they have chosen the Yorkshire Air Ambulance as its charity this year.”

The online Bramham Box Office is now open and booking in advance qualifies you for discounted tickets and free car parking.  Visit www.bramham-horse.co.uk for full prices and how to book.

Photo: Charlotte Leighton with her horse Hector who will be competing at the Bramham International Horse Trials next month. She is also pictured in hospital after her car accident.

In fact, their latest charity event, a ‘Sparkling Afternoon Tea’ at St George’s Court, Old Home Farm, High Grantley, near Ripon, proved such a sell-out success that the ladies have now netted £11,500 in total for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

St George’s Court’s Lindsey and William Hitchen, long-standing members of Farm Stay UK, the national group of on-farm accommodation providers, hosted the event, helped by ladies from Farm Stay’s Dales and Bronte group and others across to the Yorkshire moors and coast.

Two years ago, the Yorkshire region created a recipe book celebrating 30 years of Farm Stay UK, choosing to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance from proceeds of the book’s sale.

Five hundred copies were originally printed and over 3,500 books have now been sold. Funds have also been boosted by charity fund-raisers, when the ladies have served up some fantastic farmhouse fayre, much of it featuring locally produced food.

Yorkshire Farm Stay Chairman Lisa Preston, of Pickersgill Manor Farm, Silsden, said: “We were very close to our target of £10,000 before the St George’s Court event, but to break through the barrier and, in fact, raise considerably more, is a fantastic achievement.

“A total of 126 people turned out to support us and we cannot thank them enough, along with our generous band of sponsors, We are now looking forward to presenting the cheque to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”

Keynote sponsors included Barclays, Pinnies and Pearls, of Harrogate, Paynes Dairy in Boroughbridge, Taylors of Harrogate, Pickering-based HPE Print and Cooking Fantastic, of Killinghall.

Rob Dixon from York based Pilotwise has produced ten sets of bespoke FRCs (Flight Reference Cards) for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopters.  

They are of a fantastic quality and an excellent enhancement to the manner in which we conduct flight operations.  FRCs are used throughout the aviation industry and contain all the checks required to operate our aircraft in both Normal and Emergency scenarios.  

Presentation and accessibility of this information is key to resolving problems in a safe and effective manner.  Crews have already started rehearsing these drills in their morning briefs. 

Here is Paul presenting the FRC's to our Chief Pilot, Andy Lister along with paramedics Tony Wilkes & Andy Armitage.