General

The donation of £944,254 was made by Yorkshire Building Society based on deposits placed in its Yorkshire Air Ambulance affinity savings accounts over the past year.

It will contribute towards the Charity’s plans for a future replacement helicopter and takes the total donated by the Society to YAA since 2007 to more than £2 million.

Gary Lacey, Yorkshire Building Society Savings Product Manager, said: “Yorkshire Building Society is committed to supporting good causes where our members and colleagues live and work. To have been responsible for the largest ever donation to the YAA is something the Society is very proud of.

“We are delighted to be able to help such a vital service as Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which is close to the hearts of many of our members in the region.”

 Peter Sunderland, Chairman of the YAA, said: “This is the largest, single donation the Charity has ever received and we are overwhelmed by the support of the Society. 

“We are currently looking at provisions for a future replacement helicopter for one of our current aircraft, so these monies will significantly contribute towards the reserves we are starting to build to cover these costs.”

Katie Collinson, Partnerships Manager for the YAA, added: “We are really happy to have the support from Yorkshire Building Society and its customers and this donation of £944,254 is an amazing amount of money.

“We would like to extend our thanks to Yorkshire Building Society for choosing to support the life-saving work of the YAA and also to all the customers who chose to open a YAA account.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity that currently flies around 1,200 missions a year and provides a rapid response air emergency service to 5 million people across 4 million acres of Yorkshire. The charity has to raise £12,000 every day, which equates to £4.4 million a year, to keep both of Yorkshire's air ambulances in the air and relies on donations from individuals and organisations to meet this demand.

The YAA affinity accounts are no longer on sale but donations will continue to be made based on existing deposits and existing accounts will have the option to roll over.

The rapid response emergency charity has bought 14 pairs of specialist medical shears following the grant of £912 from the Trust, a grant-making charity that supports community projects in the Craven area.

The state-of-the-art Leatherman Raptor shears are designed for use by military medics and emergency rescue services. They can quickly and safely cut through materials including seat belts and motorbike leathers.

YAA Paramedic Al Day said: “We are really very grateful for the donation that has meant we can upgrade this vital piece of equipment.

“The shears we had were in need of replacement and we now have excellent kit which will enable us to save vital seconds at the scene of major trauma incidents.”

The Craven Trust has been supporting community-based projects, organisations and individuals in the Craven area for nearly 20 years.

Chairman Mark Facer said: “The Craven Trust is delighted to be able to support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and contribute towards the cost of the medical shears.

“We cover some of the remotest parts of Yorkshire and the Air Ambulance is invaluable in providing rescue services in those areas’.

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.

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.

Is it a car? Is it a helicopter? No it’s a ‘helivan’ that will be taking to the roads of England, France and Spain next month.

Driving instructor Robert Scott has spent weeks converting a 15 year-old Mercedes Vito Minibus into the distinctive yellow Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter – complete with rotor blades!

He will be joining more than 200 cars taking part in this year’s Benidorm or Bust rally from Blackpool to Benidorm with Top Gear-style challenges along the way.

The 1,700-mile route takes drivers over four days from Blackpool to Dover, then from Calais to Poitiers, through Bordeaux and over the Pyrenees to Zaragoza before ending in the popular Costa Blanca resort.

Robert, from Hunmanby, near Filey, is hoping to raise £12,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA). He said: “I know people who have had to be airlifted to hospital and it is such a great charity providing a life saving service for people in Yorkshire.

“I’ve done the Benidorm or Bust before and it’s a great few days. We’ve spent a lot of hours making a steel frame to go on the roof, the rotor blades and creating the fiberglass helicopter tail. It’s been spray painted yellow and branded up and looks great.”

Robert, 45, has already raised thousands through the sale of raffle tickets to win a new Suzuki Swift car from Scarborough’s GT Garages who have also provided a demo car over the last 10 months to help promote tickets sales and sponsorship.

The HGV and car instructor has now become a registered volunteer for the YAA. He added: “We’ve had so much support from a range of local companies who have given us their services and time free of charge. It’s been incredible and we can’t thank them enough.”

Supporters include Boro Tyres of Scarborough and All Signs in Bridlington and major sponsors include Castle Howard, Sledmere House, Morrisons and Sainsburys.
Robert was helped create the ‘Heli-Heroes’ helivan by team members Mick Hammond, Howard Cowton and Jeremy Brambles.

They will be joined on the Benidorm or Bust start-line on May 6 by three other cars raising money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. They include Vicky Turner and dairy farmer Mark Stephenson from Old Malton who will be driving Daisy the Robin Reliant – AKA Mad Cow.

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.

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.

Up to a million spectators are expected to line the routes of the three stages taking place over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Following the success of arrangements made during last year’s Tour de France, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has again brought in a third aircraft which will be hangered at the charity’s Northern airbase at RAF Topcliffe, near Thirsk.

The YAA had its busiest ever weekend during last year’s Tour de France weekend attending over 30 incidents in three days. On a normal weekend, crews may respond to three or four call-outs.

YAA Chief Pilot Capt Andy Lister said: “We know from the amazing success of the Tour de France last year just how popular this first Tour de Yorkshire is likely to be and how much extra operational pressure that may lead to.  Not only that, it is also a Bank Holiday weekend so we are also likely to see an increase in tourists to the area too.

“Working with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, we have managed to provide extra staff cover so we can bring in a third helicopter for the weekend to give us increased support.”

The first 174KM stage of the Tour de Yorkshire will take riders from Bridlington to Scarborough on Friday. The following day’s stage from Selby to York is for the sprinters with the final stage from Wakefield to Leeds featuring six classified and brutal climbs.

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.

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.

Yorkshire cricketing legend Geoff Boycott will be the special guest at a Charity golf day for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The former Yorkshire and England cricketer and commentator is an avid supporter of the rapid response emergency Charity, which has to raise £9,990 a day to keep is two helicopters flying.

Mr Boycott will also be taking part in a live Q & A session in the evening prior to dinner with the guests.

One of the distinctive yellow aircraft, based on the nearby Nostell Priory estate, should also be making an appearance at the Normanton Golf Club, Hatfield Hall, on June 25, subject to operational requirements on the day.

The event is being organised by Yorkshire Air Ambulance Pilot and keen golfer Capt Andy Hall who said: “In any week of the Summer, one of our helicopters will attend a golf course somewhere in Yorkshire.

“We are delighted that Geoffrey Boycott has agreed to be our special guest and make the presentations at the end of what should be a great day.

“This is our first Charity golf day at Normanton. It’s an opportunity to play golf on a superb course, network, promote your business and help us raise much needed funds.”

A maximum of 22 teams can take part in the Stableford Four Ball competition with a Shotgun start. Entry is £50 per person or £200 per team which includes course fees,  pre-tee-off food and drinks, carvery dinner and awards ceremony, evening entertainment, plus the chance to win some great prizes. 

For more information about entering a team and sponsorship opportunities please contact Andy Hall on 07415 950762 or email a.hall@yaa.org.uk.

In June 2013 Michael Wood suffered severe multiple injuries after being thrown from his horse while riding near his home at Boltby, near Thirsk.

The 56 year-old was airlifted by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough where he spent more than a week fighting for his life in intensive care.

“Bramham is a wonderful event and I’m delighted they have chosen the Yorkshire Air Ambulance which provides such a vital service for the horse riding community.

“When you do have a fall you are likely to be in a pretty inaccessible area for road ambulances to reach you.

“The service provided by the crew and paramedics is amazing and since my accident I have become only too aware of the support for the air ambulance service amongst horse riders throughout Yorkshire.”

Since his accident entrepreneur Michael has raised more than £21,000 for the rapid response emergency charity that helped save his life.

Most of that came from a large fund raising party held at his Grade 11 listed home and Michael is also donating proceeds from a book he has written about his life and experience.  

He was honoured last year by the YAA with a special Supporters Award at the charity’s annual Recognition Awards.

The Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials is Yorkshire’s largest equestrian event and takes place over four action packed days between June 11-14.

Event Director Nicholas Pritchard said: “We’re looking forward to working with the YAA and hope we can raise a significant amount for this amazing charity.  Any of us could need their services one day so let’s hope our visitors are as generous as ever.”

Thousands of people are expected to watch eventing, show jumping, showing, young stock classes and Pony Club activities as well as enjoying family attractions and 160 trade stands.

The online 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.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance has transported over 6,000 people and needs to raise £9,990 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air –  equivalent to £3.6 million a year.

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

Julie Homar from Bessacar, Doncaster, was driving back from a week in Whitby with her boyfriend when the accident happened in January 2012.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance airlifted the 24 year-old to hospital but despite the efforts of paramedics she later died from her injuries.

Julie’s heartbroken family have held two walks in her memory and are appealing for as many people as possible to take part in the ‘Walk For Julie’ on Sunday, April 26, at Lakeside.

All money raised will be split between the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and St Francis Church, Bessacarr.

Mark Perry, Fundraiser for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance said: “Julie’s family are a real inspiration to everyone and should be proud of everything they have done in Julie’s memory.  We would like to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in this walk and wish everyone the best of luck on the day.”

The event is being supported by Doncaster hero, Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, who lost both legs in a landmine blast while serving in Afghanistan.

The former soldier went to the same school as Julie and is hoping to join family, friends and supporters at the start of the three-mile walk.

Julie graduated just six months before the crash and was enjoying her first teaching job at Mexborough Montagu Primary School.

Her cousin Matt Kerley said: “Julie was a keen charity fundraiser herself, dedicating five years of her life taking part in charity fundraising challenges including a visit to Gambia to help disadvantaged children.

“She loved walking the dogs around Lakeside and we wanted to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance to thank them for all they did that day to try and save Julie.”

The walk starts at 2pm at Lakeside and everyone is welcome. If you would like to donate money go to the Walk For Julie JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/walk4julie/

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a rapid response emergency charity providing a life saving service to five million people across the county.

It needs to raise £9,990 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air –  equivalent to £3.6 million a year.

Eight, 2.5m x 2.5m art pieces were commissioned by Harrogate-based interior design specialists The Stephen Neall Group as part of their celebrations to mark last year’s Grand Depart.

Created by artist James Straffon, the mural features legends of the sport including Harrogate’s Harry Binns, Doncaster’s Tommy Simpson and Huddersfield’s Brian Robinson as well as modern day cycling icons Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish.

Last summer, the pieces were mounted onto an outside wall of The Factory building in Harrogate, office and showroom for Group company Poliform North, which sells contemporary Italian furniture, kitchens and bedrooms.

Stephen Neall Group Creative Director and Proprietor Stephen Gee decided to auction the mural with all proceeds split between the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and cycling charity The Dave Rayner Trust Fund.

The unique installation was bought by South Yorkshire-based Dransfield Properties for £50,000 – on the condition that each living cyclist depicted should sign their picture.

Ten months and nearly 1,800 miles later, Stephen completed the challenge with the signature of Belgian cycling icon Eddy Merck.

“It was certainly a challenge, not just getting the agreement of each cyclist but then finding a time and place when the pictures could be signed,” said Stephen, whose late father Alan was a member of the Leeds Kirkgate Cycling Club.

“After one unsuccessful attempt to get Mark Cavendish to sign his picture at Manchester Velodrome, we drove to Ghent in Belguim where he signed it in the lobby of his hotel.

“It was a remarkable adventure and such an honour to be in the company of cycling greats past and present.

“I’m delighted we have been able to donate so much to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, a charity that provides such a vital service here in Yorkshire.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a rapid response emergency charity providing a life saving service to five million people across the county.

It needs to raise £9,990 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air –  equivalent to £3.6 million a year.

YAA North Yorkshire Fundraising Manager Tony Doveston said: “We have worked closely with Stephen and Poliform North over a number of years and particularly during last year’s Tour de France.

“He is a fantastic supporter of the charity and we can’t thank him enough for this incredible donation.”

The giant portraits have been bought my Mark Dransfield, Managing Director of Barnsley-based Dransfield Properties.

The artwork will be permanently displayed at the company’s landmark Fox Valley development in North Sheffield when it opens in Spring 2016 – but for now have been installed at its Penistone 1 head office building.

Mark said: “We are delighted to support these two great causes and we are very proud to be guardians of these nine fantastic pieces of art.

“Our long term plan for the pieces is for them to be displayed in the new Full Gas Bike shop which is opening next year at our Fox Valley development in north Sheffield and where they can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Fixing the aerial nearly ended in tragedy for South Yorkshire construction worker Gary Young when an undiagnosed brain aneurysm burst.

The father-of-two collapsed while on the roof and fell around 30ft into the garden of the family home in Thorne.

Gary broke nearly every rib and also punctured a lung in the horror fall, but miraculously survived, largely medics believe because he was unconscious when he landed.

The 52 year-old was airlifted to the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and his grateful daughter Rachel has now become a volunteer for the rapid response emergency charity.

“I can’t thank the air ambulance enough for everything they did for us that day,” said 24 year-old Rachel from Park View, Thorne.

“They were just amazing. Because of the nature of his injuries and the amount of pain my Dad was in, he had to get to hospital as quick as possible and a road journey would have been out of the question.

“I felt I just had to do something to thank the charity and becoming a volunteer is a great way to help to raise money and awareness about the work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”

Gary’s brain injury was only diagnosed in hospital where he spent over two weeks in intensive care following surgery to clip the ruptured aneurysm.

The extent of his rib fractures and punctured lung meant he was on a ventilator for a week and was fitted with a body brace to help his shattered ribs begin to heal.

That was exactly a year ago and Gary is still struggling physically and emotionally. Rachel added: “My Dad is still in a lot of pain as some of the ribs have not healed properly.

“From someone who was such a hard worker, always on the go, Dad can’t really walk that far now and just has so little energy.

“I think he has been suffering from post traumatic stress. He’s not sleeping because he’s aware he has the aneurysm and he’s scared of falling asleep in case he doesn’t wake up. It’s been very hard for him.”

Rachel, an administrator with Redline Aviation Security at Robin Hood Airport, is calling on people to join her by becoming a volunteer for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The rapid response emergency charity – which has to raise £9,990 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air –  is appealing for more volunteers in South Yorkshire to run stalls and attend local events.

South Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser Mark Perry said: “We are asked to attend lots of events throughout the year and can’t cover this increasing demand without the support of our brilliant volunteers.

"It’s also important that we’re out more in local communities answering questions about the charity, telling people what we do, and why their support is so vital.

"Being a volunteer is a really great way to get out and about in your local area and meet people. You would be part of a fantastic team and you can do as little or as much as you want, to fit in with your lifestyle.”

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or would like to find out more contact Mark on 077681 75727 or email him at m.perry@yaa.org.uk.

The Wetherby Whaler fish and chip restaurants and takeaways in Yorkshire have raised £4,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Customers at Wetherby Whaler’s five branches across Yorkshire, which are in Guiseley, Pudsey, Wetherby, York and Wakefield, have been donating their loose change to collection tins in the restaurants, which has amounted to the impressive sum.  

The cheque was handed over to Kerry Garner, West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) and Carrie Cheeseman, who was rescued by the YAA following a horrific accident in 2009.

Carrie and her two children, Maxwell, now 8, and Scarlett, who was nine-months-old at the time of the accident, were hit by a car near their home in Morley. Carrie was subsequently airlifted to hospital by the charity.  

Carrie suffered multiple serious injuries and, in what was already a traumatic year, Carrie’s husband-to-be, Stephen, also had the Yorkshire Air Ambulance called to him when he came off his bike while training for a triathlon – although on that occasion the Charity’s services were not required to transfer him to hospital.

The Wetherby Whaler adopted the Yorkshire Air Ambulance as its chosen charity in 2011 and has since raised nearly £10,000 for the iconic Yorkshire rapid response emergency service through collection tins.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity that provides a rapid response air emergency service to 5 million people across 4 million acres of Yorkshire. The charity has to raise £9,990 every day, which equates to £3.6 million a year, to keep both of Yorkshire's air ambulances in the air and relies on donations from individuals and organisations to meet this demand.

Phillip Murphy, Owner of The Wetherby Whaler, said: “The Yorkshire Air Ambulance does fantastic life-saving work across Yorkshire, so as a Yorkshire-based business, we thought it was only fitting that we show our support. I’d like to say a big thank you to all of our customers who donated their loose change – it’s amazing how a little can add up and go such a long way.”

Kerry Garner, West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “The generosity that we receive from the people and businesses of Yorkshire is the lifeblood of the charity and without this support, we would not be able to provide the service that we are so proud of. We are extremely grateful to the Wetherby Whaler and its customers for the very kind and generous donation.”

Carrie Cheeseman said: “It is fantastic that establishments such as The Wetherby Whaler support The Yorkshire Air Ambulance. I, my husband and our two children are extremely grateful for the charity’s amazing crews and the invaluable work that the YAA does across Yorkshire.”