General

Following an overwhelming response from a recent staff vote Callcredit is pleased to announce that the Yorkshire Air Ambulance will be this year’s ‘charity of the year’ for 2015.

YAA is an independent charity providing a lifesaving rapid response emergency service to 5 million people across Yorkshire. They fly 7 days a week, 365 days a year, covering the whole county – not only major cities and motorways, but also rural and isolated locations.

The charity depends completely on the generosity of the public to keep its two lifesaving helicopters flying. Anyone, anywhere across Yorkshire, might one day need to call on their services.

Mike Gordon, Chief Executive Officer at Callcredit commented, “We often hear or see the Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopters flying over our Park Lane Head Office and landing at Leeds General Infirmary which is close by. To know that Callcredit staff have chosen to help and support the continued provision of this vital service is both rewarding and very gratifying”. 

To find out more on the Yorkshire Air Ambulance service visit: https://www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk/

You can also donate by simply sending a text to:

Text YAAC70 £2 to 70070 to donate £2

– See more at: http://www.callcredit.co.uk/press-office/news/2015/01/yorkshire-air-ambulance#sthash.BkK9a7Wu.dpuf

The 19 mile walk will set off from Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s airbase at Nostell Air Support Unit in Wakefield to the John Smith’s Stadium in time for the home game against Fulham on Saturday 21 March 2015. 

Entrants will also take part in a lap of honour on arrival at the Stadium prior to kick-off!

HTAFC Club Ambassador Andy Booth, Academy Manager Mark Lillis, players Conor Coady and Mark Hudson joined up with James and Andy Tattersfield from Walk sponsors Thornhill Dental Surgery for the launch photo.

This will be the Club’s fourth Walk for Pounds event in aid of the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign, with the previous three events raising an amazing £60,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and HTAFC Academy.

Town Chairman Dean Hoyle, who has taken part in two previous Walk events, commented: 

“Walk for Pounds is such a well-established event in the Club calendar and each season it seems to get better.

“To walk 19 miles is a big challenge, but it will be a great day with Town fans, partners and staff coming together to raise vital funds for our Academy and the YAA. 

“I would also like to thank our partners Thornhill Dental Surgery for their valued sponsorship of the event.”

YAA Director of Fundraising Paul Gowland echoed Dean’s comments: 

“At the charity we appreciate every single Town supporter who has raised funds for the campaign since our partnership began, and we’re looking forward to another great Walk for Pounds this season!” 

Funds raised by the walkers will go towards maintaining the YAA’s two lifesaving helicopters as well as assisting the HTAFC Academy.

The event entry fee is £15 per person which includes coach transport from PPG Canalside to Nostell Priory to begin the walk kindly provided by Stotts Coaches, breakfast pre-walk, a snack and refreshment as well as an ‘I completed the Walk’ t-shirt.

The minimum age to take part in the Walk is 13 and participants aged 13-15 must be supervised by an adult aged 18+.

To download the entry form here: http://www.htafc.com/documents/walkforpoundsform238-2213801.pdf and return to Walk for Pounds, Huddersfield Town, Stadium Way, Huddersfield, HD1 6PX or hand in at the Stadium Superstore or ticket office.

Alternatively, download the form and email to robyn.deegan@htafc.com, forwarding the entry fee via post.

Entrants will be emailed with an information pack including all details in due course.

The deadline for entries is Friday 6 March 2015.

Paramedics at the Yorkshire Air Ambulance have partnered with suppliers of polar expeditions to design a unique casualty bag.

The air crew have worked closely with specialist company Snowsled Polar Ltd to re-design their successful standard casualty bag to specifically meet the requirements of the rapid response emergency charity.

Almost all Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) patients are secured on an immobilization board and then put in an insulated casualty bag, before being carried to the helicopter and airlifted to hospital.

Recent research suggests that a reduced core body temperature in a trauma patient can have a significant detrimental effect on their outcome.

YAA paramedic Al Day said: “The casualty bags we had were fine but needed replacement and this was a great opportunity to look at improvements which would make a difference to both patients and the paramedic crew.

“Snowsled were great and have worked with us to produce a bespoke design that really meets our needs.

“The new bags have a mat built in at the bottom to give better insulation for casualties and have been modified to make them a lot easier to carry people in.

“We’ve added some features such as a zip system to provide access to different areas of the patient without having to open the bag completely, and made them longer to accommodate a long-leg splint.”

The modifications also include a wipe-clean outer material and non-absorbent lining which means the bags do not have to be laundered after each use. They are also much easier to pack away and store on the aircraft.

Snowsled Polar Ltd develops and manufactures travelling equipment for polar workers, as well as vacuum mattresses and casualty bags for Emergency and Mountain Rescue Services.

Director Roger Daynes said: “The Yorkshire Air Ambulance asked us to add features to our standard product which made a lot of sense.

“We have also worked with them to look at a new washing system for the bags which ensure they can be cleaned as often as necessary but will not degrade. It’s been a really good process.”

The YAA, which has airlifted nearly 6,000 people in its 14-year history, have been able to buy four new casualty bags thanks to grants from The Co-operative Community Fund and Network Rail Charitable Giving Fund.

Paramedic Al Day added: “We are incredibly grateful for the generous funding which means our two aircraft are now fully equipped with the new casualty bags.”

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 £9,900 each day to keep its two helicopters in the air and maintained.

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.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance has paid tribute to remarkable fundraising pensioner Maisie Allan who has sadly lost her long battle against cancer.

Despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2013, the courageous 85 year-old from Rothwell, Leeds, completed a 900-mile static bike challenge raising over £3,600 for the charity she loves.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) recognised Maisie’s remarkable efforts when she received a special supporter’s award from the rapid response emergency charity.

And last year Maisie started her biggest fund-raising challenge yet – defying doctors in a brave bid to walk the world for the YAA.

With a pedometer attached to count every step she took each day, Maisie had planned to walk the equivalent of a round the world hike – that’s around 65 million steps!.

She managed to raise more than £1,700 before she became too weak to walk. Maisie, who called her tumour ‘Tommy’, died last week at St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds.

Kerry Garner, Regional Fundraising Manager for the YAA, said: “Maisie was a wonderful lady and it was a real privilege to get to know her during her time fundraising for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. 

“She was such a character and really was an inspiration to so many, showing us all that no matter what your situation, anything is possible. 

“We are also glad that we were able to recognise Maisie’s fundraising efforts before she got too ill, and we’ll always remember the smile on her face when she was presented with her award.  Our deepest sympathies go to Maisie’s devoted husband Peter who was her rock.  She will be very sadly missed by all at the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”

Former nurse Maisie and Peter – “my rock” – were also taken on a VIP tour of the service’s new air base at the Nostell, near Wakefield, when she said:  “I’m just an ordinary Yorkshire lass wanting to do good for these amazing people.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is an independent rapid response charity, which has carried more than 5,900 people in its 14-year history. It needs to raise £9,990 each day to keep its two helicopters in the air and maintained –  equivalent to £3.6 million each 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.

The 14 soldiers from 2 Signal Regiment began a five day charity cycle ride at York’s Barbican Centre to raise cash for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Soldier’s Charity (formerly the Army Benevolent Fund).

The soldiers from the Regiment’s Light Aid Detachment will be cycling an average of 100 miles a day on static cycles aiming to achieve a total of 5098 miles (8206 Kilometres) over five days. The distance is from the Snooker International Championships in Chengdu, China to the UK Championship in York.

“I am full of admiration for these guys and I realise they have another three or 4,000 miles to go but I have a sweat on just watching them,” said Willie, a TV and radio commentator for all major snooker championships including the World Snooker Championship..

Willie Thorne was a regular in the Top 16 World Ranking players for over a decade and is one of the top record breakers for the highest number of 147 breaks in the history of snooker (190), earning him his nickname "Mr Maximum".

“The Light Aid Detachment wanted to organise a charity event for these two worthwhile causes and as we are interested in Snooker and cycling decided to do a charity cycle at the York Barbican,” said Corporal Daniel Custus, the organiser.

“It has been great for Willie, who is a legend in Snooker, to come and cycle a couple of kilometres to support us – we have really appreciated it.”

The Light Aid Detachment is based in Imphal Barracks in Fulford York and maintains and repairs all kinds of mechanical equipment from weapons and Land Rovers to Signals equipment.

The stuff you don’t want is top of the Christmas list for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The rapid response emergency charity has made a festive fund raising plea for people to bag up any unwanted clothes, shoes, bags, curtains and bedding and donate them through their successful recycling campaign.

“The lead up to the festive season and the Christmas period itself is a really good time to have a clear-out of those wardrobes and drawers,” said Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) Partnership Manager Katie Collinson.

“And filling a recycling sack is a Christmas gift that doesn’t cost people any money but means so much to us.”

The YAA, which provides a rapid response emergency service to five million people, needs to raise £12,000 each day to keep its two helicopters flying – equivalent to £4.4m a year.

Recyling provides a massive cash boost for the charity. Since launching its recycling scheme ten years ago with partner the BIU Group, a staggering £2.3 million has been donated to the YAA from bags of unwanted clothes, shoes and household textiles.

Staff at Portakabin’s headquarters in Huntington, York, have been bagging up their unwanted items and recently donated the equivalent of 15, 20kg suitcases to YAA – the company’s chosen charity of the year.

Katie added: “We would like to say a huge thank you to all our supporters who have donated their unwanted items to us and made such a massive difference.

“Once again the generosity of Yorkshire people just takes our breath away. We have a brilliant relationship with our recycling partners Bag It Up, and all the recycled material we collect adds up to around £200,000 a year!”

The charity has more than 250 recycling textile banks at household waste sites, supermarkets and car parks across Yorkshire. You can find out where your nearest bank is by either going to the YAA website (www.yaa.org.uk) or by calling 01422 237900.

Asda staff and shoppers across Yorkshire have given the Yorkshire Air Ambulance a bumper Christmas present.

During 2014, the supermarket’s 23 stores in the region have raised a whopping £90,933 for the life saving charity.

And Asda is confident the amazing generosity of their employees and customers will help them reach £100,000 by the end of the year.

Money has been raised through a wide range of activities and events – from skydives to sponsored bag packing, tins on the tills, in-store Yorkshire Day and Grand Depart celebrations, sponsored walks, raffles and the sale of YAA merchandise.

The Asda staff were also delighted to unveil their logo which is now carried on both of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopters as a thank you for all of their fundraising efforts.

Lisa Stagg, Community Life champion at Asda Wakefield, said: “We are a Yorkshire based business and this is a fantastic charity that does an amazing job saving lives across Yorkshire every day but relies totally on public donations.

“A couple of Asda colleagues have actually required the help of the service, so it is a charity that is close to our hearts, and we are delighted to support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is an independent rapid response charity, which has carried more than 5,800 people in its 14-year history. It needs to raise £9,900 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air and maintained.

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.

The money raised comes on top of a donation of just over £53,000 made to the YAA last year after a summer fundraising campaign by 17 Asda stores across Yorkshire.

Kerry Garner, YAA regional fundraiser, said: “We are overwhelmed by the support and generosity of Asda, their store staff and amazing customers across Yorkshire.

“Given we are an independent charity, we rely on organisations such as Asda and their customers to help us raise the vital funds we need. We really cannot thank them enough.” 

It’s time to get back on your bike as Huddersfield Town has today announced that the sixth annual ‘Pedal for Pounds’ bike ride, sponsored by club partner Orchard Energy, is a go!

The two day ride will start at Victoria Tower on Castle Hill in Almondbury at 10am on Friday 1 May 2015, with that day finishing 70 miles away at Blackpool Tower.

On Saturday 2 May 2015, after the Terriers’ final game of the Sky Bet Championship season against the Seasiders, the ride will set off from the Bloomfield Road Stadium and cycle back to the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield.

The ride will be 140 miles in total and will see supporters and staff raising funds for the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign, the Club’s fundraising partnership between the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Huddersfield Town Academy.

Huddersfield Town Chairman Dean Hoyle commented:

“The last game of the season is always a really exciting one and it will be great having the cyclists descending en masse over the Pennines to Blackpool for the sixth annual ride!

“The ‘Pedal for Pounds’ bike rides have taken on a life of their own and we want as many Town fans as possible to be able to have the experience of taking part. We appreciate that not everyone can commit to four days off work or stay away from their families for a prolonged period, which is why this year’s ride is over two days. It’s something a bit different to what we’ve done before but it’s still 70 miles per day, which is a real challenge.

“I would urge anyone who may have thought about taking part in the past to bite the bullet and go for it; you won’t regret it!”

Orchard Group Managing Director Gareth Henderson said he was “extremely proud” that Orchard would be stepping up its support for Pedal for Pounds this time around to become the title sponsor of the event.

“This is a fantastic charity event that brings Huddersfield Town supporters together and raises an incredible amount of money every year.

“I would urge as many people as possible to get involved. As a Pedal for Pounds veteran I know just how much of a challenge it is for everyone who takes part but when the going gets tough, the team spirit and the knowledge that every penny raised is making a real difference make it all worthwhile.”

If you would like to take part in the ‘Pedal for Pounds 6’ bike ride, please download a sign-up form and medical form from:http://bit.ly/13MiV7E and return both, along with your £35 registration fee (non-refundable; covers ride cycling jersey, bike and bag tags, ride insurance, ‘I Completed’ t-shirt and water, sandwich and snacks on both days).

Forms can be posted FAO Robyn Deegan, HTAFC, the John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield, HD1 6PX or handed in at main reception or the Ticket Office windows. Cheques should be made out to the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign.

The deadline date for entries is 12 January 2015.

The Club’s previous ‘Pedal for Pounds’ bike rides have contributed over £750,000 to the £1million raised for the campaign so far since its inception in 2009.

For more information please contact Supporter Partnerships Manager Robyn Deegan at robyn.deegan@htafc.com

A Sheffield student who was seriously injured in an horrific motorbike accident is urging everyone in South Yorkshire to support a special fundraising campaign this month for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Shona Fraser suffered multiple injuries in the August 1 crash on the Dearne Valley bypass. The 21 year-old graphic design student at Sheffield Hallam University was airlifted by Yorkshire Air Ambulance to the Northern General Hospital.

Shona, from Lodge Moor, said: “Quite simply if it wasn’t for the air ambulance and the brilliant paramedics I would not have made it.

“They were there so quickly, and got me to the trauma centre within minutes and I can’t thank them enough for what they did for me and what they do every week for people across Yorkshire.”

Motobike-mad Shona was riding with a friend to Escrick, near York, to make her debut at the popular Yorkshire Pudding Rally when the accident happened.

“A lorry infront flashed a guy out from a layby who decided to do a U-turn instead of joining the traffic flow. I was only doing about 30 to 35mph but had no time at all to put my brakes on or get out of the way. I went straight into the driver’s door. When the air ambulance arrived the bike was still stuck in the door.”

Shona’s horrific injuries included a broken pelvis, a badly fractured thigh, two broken wrists, several broken ribs, internal bleeding, a collapsed lung, fractured eye socket and a broken jaw.

After three weeks in hospital the courageous student began her long recovery at home with a metal frame pinning her shattered pelvic bones together. That has now come out and with physiotherapy and determination Shona is gradually recovering.

To say thank-you to the helicopter heroes who saved her life, Shona organised a charity bike night at the MotoDemon Speed Shop in Rotherham, which raised nearly £700 for the rapid response emergency charity.

With further donations from family and friends that figure is now £900 and Shona is urging people across South Yorkshire to back the 175 Challenge.

Organisations including businesses, schools and football clubs have signed up to raise at least £175 in 175 hours between November 8 and 15.

The challenge forms part of a fundraising campaign launched by Sheffield-based healthcare company B. Braun Medical – celebrating 175 years in business – for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has carried more than 5,800 people in its 14-year history and has to raise £9,990 every day – that’s £3.6 million a year – to keep the life-saving service going.

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.

To sign up to The 175 Challenge, email YAA South Yorkshire Fundraiser Mark Perry on m.perry@yaa.org.uk or call 07768 175727

The team that produced the hit BBC Helicopter Heroes series, following the work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, has won a major award.

The BBC Yorkshire team scooped the prestigious Guild of Air Pilots (GAPAN) Award for Aviation Journalism 2014 after being nominated by Yorkshire Air Ambulance Chief Pilot Andy Lister.

Led by Network Editor Ian Cundall, who picked up the award with Series Producer Andy Joynson, the team has made 130 programmes over eight years with the rapid response emergency charity.

All are qualified aircrew, able to navigate and operate the communication system on the YAA's two MD 902 helicopters. They have flown more than 3,000 HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) missions.

In recommending them for the award Capt Lister said: "The team’s work has contributed to greater public understanding of many issues facing HEMS crews …they've shown a very high level of commitment to flight safety and members have displayed high standards of airmanship throughout their time with the YAA.

"In a world where journalists are often criticised for their lack of understanding of aviation issues and, sometimes, a tendency to over-dramatise on TV, the Helicopter Heroes team is a shining exception. Few journalists or broadcasters can justifiably claim to have helped others save lives in the air."

The Guild is one of most influential bodies in world aviation and the annual Air Pilot awards honour outstanding courage, achievement and the highest standards of airmanship around the world.

Alongside the Helicopter Heroes team at the prestigious ceremony at London's Guildhall were the crew of a Cathay Pacific Airbus flight who saved their aircraft after a double engine failure and a RAF Chinook chopper team who braved sustained gunfire to rescue soldiers surrounded by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.

Ian Cundall, who received the Award for Aviation Journalism from HRH Prince Michael of Kent, said: “We are truly honoured to have been nominated by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance to be receive this amazing award.

“Helicopter Heroes has been a real labour of love for all those who have worked on the programme.”

Among those also receiving Air Pilot Awards were military aircrew, test pilots, flying instructors, private pilots and newly qualified trainees. All have been chosen by fellow pilots for their commitment to the highest flying standards.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance has carried more than 5,800 people in its 14-year history and has to raise £9,990 every day – that’s £3.6 million a year – to keep the life-saving service going.

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.