General

Mourning the departure of the Grand Depart? Well, the super summer of cycling in Yorkshire continues with the YESSS Tickhill Grand Prix.

The closed road cycle race is only its second year, but has attracted professional riders and teams from all over the country.

Boasting eight races through the historic streets of Tickhill, near Doncaster, free admission, close to the action spectating, big screens, stalls and lots more it promises to be great day for all the family.

And supporting the event, on August 24, will also boost the funds of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA), Tickhill Grand Prix’s official charity partner for the next three years.

Mark Perry, Yorkshire Air Ambulance South Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser, said: “We were delighted when the Tickhill Grand Prix approached us to become a partner. Cycling is a huge, fast growing sport and with the fantastic success of the Tour de France in Yorkshire, I’m sure this will be a hugely popular event.”

Alongside a profit sharing agreement, the Grand Prix will be raising money for the YAA on the day. It is hoped the air ambulance will be there, and visitors can also actively support the rapid response charity by taking part in a special Rollapaluza 500m static bike challenge.

The Grand Prix will host eight races from 1pm till 7.45pm including Professional Elite – both Men and Women – Penny Farthing, amateur and youth races.

And one of those riders on the start line at Tickhill will be newly appointed YAA events and volunteer coordinator Jenny Eastham from Menston, Leeds.

“I didn’t know I would be working for the Air Ambulance when I entered the race,” said Jenny, who was previously a resort manager in Meribel, France, for a tour company.

“I got into cycling when I was working in France, but this will be only my third race, so it’s a bit daunting. But it will be just great to take part, especially as the organisers are supporting us so generously.

“I’m sure with the amazing success of the Grand Depart and the Tour de France in Yorkshire, lots of people will want to come to such a beautiful, historic village and support the Grand Prix.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has carried more than 5,600 people in its 13-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.

Huddersfield Town’s and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s ground-breaking Keep it Up partnership will run for another three years.

The pioneering ‘Keep It Up’ campaign, was launched back in 2009 to help establish sustainable income for the Charity as well as supporting Huddersfield Town’s Youth Academy, which actively promotes the development of future football stars from the local community. Over the last five years, Huddersfield Town have driven the campaign through a series of high profile events including Walk for Pounds, Run for Pounds and the now famous Pedal for Pounds cycle challenge.

In late June this year, Town and YAA announced that the campaign has passed the £1m mark, with a YAA helicopter landing at PPG Canalside to celebrate the milestone.

The monies have been raised through a series of successful events, including the annual ‘Pedal for Pounds’ bike rides which took hundreds of riders, hundreds of miles across the UK. The most recent ride saw nearly 300 cyclists embark on the ‘Chapman Trail’ cycling the 250 miles back to Huddersfield’s John Smith Stadium from Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in London.

Over the five ‘Pedal for Pounds’ rides, 635 different cyclists have taken part, covering a total of 1,250 miles and raising in excess of £700,000 to the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign.

Numerous other events have also been arranged by the Club and YAA or by fundraisers, which have added to the total. The YAA logo also appeared on the front of the team’s shirts during the 2009/10 season, with the players wearing a unique YAA red and yellow shirt during the home win vs Southend in 2010.

Paul Gowland, YAA Director of Fundraising said:

“We are absolutely delighted that HTAFC is looking to continue our partnership for at least another three years.

“When we launched the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign five years ago none of us quite knew just how successful it was going to be – so to be extending that to at least eight years is phenomenal. HTAFC staff and fans have very much become part of the YAA family over the years and we are looking forward to seeing what the next three years bring.

“We’d also like to thank HTAFC and their fans for their continued support of our Charity, as well as helping us raise the vital funds and awareness that we need to continue our daily operations.”

Huddersfield Town’s Supporter Partnerships Manager, Robyn Deegan added:

“I am delighted that on the back of the £1m landmark we have agreed to extend the Keep it Up campaign for a minimum of three years.

“Our partnership with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is the thing that I am asked most about by our fans; they are as proud as we are by what has been achieved.

“Hopefully we can take the campaign on to greater heights over the next three years and continue to be a huge financial benefit to our Academy as well as saving lives through the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”

The pilot who flew BBC presenter Richard Hammond to hospital after his horror high-speed crash has retired after a decade as a Pilot for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Capt Steve Cobb has flown hundreds of missions for the rapid response emergency charity, many as its Chief Pilot in his ten years – but none as high profile as the 2006 rescue of the Top Gear host who was fighting for his life after sustaining serious head injuries in a 280mph jet car crash at Elvington Airfield.

The father-of-two went on to make a full recovery, in large part because of the speed he was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary.

Steve, 59, said: “The Richard Hammond incident was certainly the one that generated the most interest, although it was actually one of the easiest jobs I’ve done.

“But landing on that airfield ended up being one the biggest events that happened for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance – leading to enough money being raised to put a deposit down to fund our second helicopter G-CEMS.”

His flying career got off the ground by chance in 1986 when Steve – who was enjoying a successful career in contract IT – spotted a roadside advert for a helicopter trial lesson.

“I really enjoyed the lesson and after getting my private license I spent the next five years as a self improver, building up enough flying time to be able to fly commercially – working three months in IT and then a month flying.”

Steve got his commercial license in 1992 and, after three years of working on the ground during the winter and in the air during the summer, became a full-time charter pilot in 1995, based nearby to Leeds Bradford Airport.

“It was really busy, a time when there was a lot of money around and we were flying businessmen and wealthy people to major sporting events, weddings and functions,” added Steve, who worked for Northern Helicopters and then Helijet.

“We also did a lot of aerial filming for TV – including the opening credits for Emmerdale – and would rapidly transport components for car companies using just in time production.

“I really enjoyed the work, you never knew what was coming in from one day to the other.”

His move into emergency service flying again came by chance, after the Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter landed at Steve’s heliport on a mission.

“I got chatting to the pilot and about a week later saw an advert for an emergency service pilot for the North of England. It was for the police in Newcastle but was then told they also needed a contract pilot in Yorkshire.

“I started doing ten days a month for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Because I’d always flown out of Leeds I knew the area really well and because I’d done a lot of aerial photography work I was very used to flying the aircraft at the right speed and height.

“It becomes almost second nature, you can hear and feel the aircraft, so you can then concentrate on finding the right landing spot, making sure the crew can get to the job quickly and safely.”

Steve was appointed Chief Pilot in 2005 and has since flown to hundreds of incidents across the county – landing everywhere from busy motorways to remote hilltops, seaside cliffs to industrial estates.

“We are part of a close team and we each respect each other’s roles within that team – when the jobs come in, so you have to be very professional and not push the limits.

“You can pick someone up who seems fine and the next day hear that they have passed away, and then someone else who’s future doesn’t look promising and without a chance, comes through.

“I remember one of the first jobs I went to was a girl who had been in a phone box when a car came off the road and smashed into it. The scene was chaotic, and they were carrying her on the door which was all that was left of the phone box. She had just a broken nose. It was incredible.

“I thought it would be hard seeing people badly injured, but it is amazing to work with such fantastic paramedics and people on the ground are always very pleased to see us. This job is literally the best single thing you can do with a helicopter.

“It’s been amazing meeting those people who want to come back and say ‘thank you’ for what we’ve done for them – people are so grateful for what the air ambulance does and it has been very special to work for a charity that is so appreciated and valued.”

Steve who recently moved to Scarborough, is now enjoying his retirement with wife Christine walking and cycling on the Yorkshire coast. Steve also hopes to have the time to restore Lambretta scooters and a VW camper van.

He added: “The over-riding thing that sticks with you from the job is how quickly your life can change. One minute you’re doing something completely normal and the next, because of something out of the ordinary it can be over. It certainly makes you appreciate life.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has seen its busiest weekend in their fourteen year history as the Tour de France passed through Yorkshire.

On the Saturday and Sunday alone, the Charity attended twenty-one incidents across the region, excluding a further ten jobs on the Friday (4th). On a normal weekend, the YAA may attend around three to four incidents.

However the YAA were well prepared for the expected increase in operational activity and had drafted in the use of a third helicopter to help provide extra coverage over the weekend.

Speaking about their busy weekend, the Charity’s Marketing and Communications Manager Abby McClymont commented: “We knew that we were in for a busy few days with the excitement of the Tour de France coming to the region, however this past weekend has been one of the busiest for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Our two helicopters, along with the third extra helicopter and their crews have attended twenty-one incidents on Saturday and Sunday alone – on Saturday we attended nine incidents and Sunday, twelve incidents.

We also experienced an extremely busy day on Friday too, being called out to ten incidents. We have had many busy weekends in the past, but nothing as busy as this last one has been.

We were pleased to be able to work alongside the other emergency services and help out where required.”

Although a lot of the incidents were not related to the Tour de France activities, the majority attended over the weekend were linked to the event in some way.

Abby continued “We have been called to a few members of the public who have been out cycling on the route, or en route to watch the race over the weekend and have unfortunately found themselves in need of air ambulance assistance.

Other incidents have also included spectators who have developed health problems whilst waiting for the race to go past.

However generally we have attended the same kinds of jobs we would usually be alerted to, but just in a greater volume due to the vastly increased number of people in the region over the weekend.”

Between the three Yorkshire helicopters operational at the weekend, one each were based from their current airbases on the Nostell Estate near Wakefield and at RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk, whilst the third helicopter was operational from stand-by points at pre-identified and surveyed locations close-by to the route – these were at Wathgill Camp near Richmond and at Beeston Hall Farm, just near Ripponden.

Abby concluded “As well as being busy operationally, we were also busy with lots of Tour de France related fundraising events being held in aid of us. The atmosphere along the route was fantastic and Yorkshire has a lot to be proud of. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us, especially over this weekend.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent Charity providing a rapid response emergency service to the people of Yorkshire. Their two yellow helicopters provide air ambulance cover 7 days per week, 365 days per year.

It costs £9990 each day to keep the Charity running, and with no direct government funding, relies on individuals, groups and organisations to help raise the vital funds required. The only help they receive is through the secondment of their paramedics from Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Thousands of people across the county have donned the colour yellow and helped raise thousands for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The Yorkshire Post's Wear It Yellow Day fundraiser yesterday saw over 50 organisations in Yorkshire pledge to spend a day embracing the Tour de France's famous Yellow jersey in aid of the lifesaving charity.

Around 500 pupils at Thornhill Community Academy, from Bafta-winning TV show Educating Yorkshire, and 40 cyclists at Leeds Bradford Airport, who also enjoyed a 'Tour de Runway' cycle race, were among those to take part ahead of tomorrow's Grand Depart.

Tour-tinged celebrations of the world's greatest cycle race even went global, with Hewlett Construction turning both its Leeds head office and its office in Oman yellow for the day.

Nicola Furbisher, The Yorkshire Post's managing editor, said; "We've been overwhelmed by the support for Wear It Yellow Day – it just goes to show how passionate and excited the county is to host the Tour."

With all those wearing yellow donating £1 to the charity, staff from firms such as JLL, Barclays and PxC were among those to help us build a five-figure total.

And as the clock ticks down until Le Tour rolls into action, one Harrogate farm is planning to capture the race by an unlikely source – a flock of sheep.

Five sheep at Harewell Hall farm have been recruited by Sony as sheepcams to show off its AS100VR ActionCam.

Sheffield-based healthcare company B. Braun Medical Ltd has announced a major fundraising appeal across South Yorkshire to raise vital funds over the next six months for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The ‘175 Campaign’ encourages people across the region to donate a minimum of £1.75 each to help organisers reach their target in time for Christmas.

The campaign was launched at B. Braun Medical Ltd’s headquarters in Chapeltown by Chief Executive Hans Hux and Yorkshire Air Ambulance Chairman, Peter Sunderland.

Peter Sunderland, Chairman of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance said: “B Braun Medical Ltd is one of our longest standing sponsors and we have been delighted to have had their support for 14 years now. We are very excited about The 175 Campaign and are looking forward to further engaging with and working together with the businesses and local communities in South Yorkshire. We would also like to extend our thanks to B Braun for facilitating such a fantastic fundraising campaign for us.”

Hans Hux said: “The 175 Campaign is an inspirational fundraising effort to help save more lives across our region. This year marks our company’s 175th anniversary, so we wanted to celebrate by giving something back to the community.

“The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a vital resource for the area, serving a population of approximately five million people. However, it relies entirely on public donations to keep it running – at a cost of £9,999 per day.

“If everybody across the region, businesses and individuals alike, dig into their pockets and gave just £1.75 each, we can make a real difference towards this invaluable, lifesaving service.”

B. Braun Medical Ltd has been a key supporter for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance since 2000, providing both monetary donations and in-kind services for the charity.

For more information about the campaign visit www.justgiving.com/The175Campaign, follow @The175Campaign on Twitter or like www.facebook.com/the175campaign

Every day between now and Christmas Mark Perry will go the extra mile for the charity he loves and works for.

Despite chronic osteoarthritis as a result of Chrohn’s Disease, Mark will run a mile every day for the next 175 days to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

He is supporting the ‘175 Campaign’ – a major, six-month appeal by Sheffield-based healthcare company B. Braun Medical Ltd to raise vital funds for the rapid response emergency charity.

Mark, from Barnsley, is South Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, having worked for them for the last 7 years.

He said: “It seems a long time until the last run on Christmas Day but I’m determined to complete the challenge. It will be huge because I do have bad osteoarthritis as a result of my Chrohn’s Disease.

“But, it was a choice between giving up chocolate for 175 days or running a mile a day – and it was never going to be the chocolate!

“In my role as the South Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser I see every day the efforts people go to, to support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, raising money in brilliantly different ways. I

thought it was about time I did something too – it’ll be nice to present a cheque, rather than collecting one on behalf of the charity!”

The ‘175 Campaign’ encourages people across the region to donate a minimum of £1.75 each to help organisers reach the total in time for Christmas.

Mark and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance will be keeping supporters up to date with his progress through their social media channels.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance has carried more than 5,500 people in its 13-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.

B. Braun Medical Ltd has been a key supporter for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance since 2000, providing both donations and in-kind services for the charity.

For more information about the campaign visit www.justgiving.com/The175Campaign, follow @The175Campaign on Twitter or like www.facebook.com/the175campaign.

A ground-breaking fundraising partnership between Huddersfield Town Football Club (HTAFC) and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has raised over £1million.

The pioneering ‘Keep It Up’ campaign, was launched back in 2009 to help establish sustainable income for the Charity as well as supporting Huddersfield Town’s Youth Academy, which actively promotes the development of future football stars from the local community. Over the last five years, Huddersfield Town have driven the campaign through a series of high profile events including Walk for Pounds, Run for Pounds and the now infamous Pedal for Pounds cycle challenge.

The campaign was a first of its kind in the Football League and no one could have pre-empted how successful it would turn out.

Paul Gowland, YAA’s Director of Fundraising said “Five years ago when we launched the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign, we could never have predicted just how successful the partnership was going to be. It was new territory for both us and HTAFC – neither of us had ever been involved in a partnership like this before. We knew it would be a success, we didn’t quite realise just how successful!”

Paul continues “HTAFC have been fantastic at driving the campaign, however the success of it has been down to the fans getting behind ‘Keep It Up’ and showing their support. Their passion and dedication to the campaign over the last five years is amazing and they should all be commended for their continued support. We cannot thank them and the Club enough.”

Huddersfield Town Chairman Dean Hoyle added:

“Huddersfield Town is committed to making a difference to the local community and there is no better example of the Club and its fans working together, alongside a charity with this goal than the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign.

“The Yorkshire Air Ambulance provides a vital service across our county and I’m delighted to report that the money generated for the charity through ‘Keep It Up’ has funded every life-saving flight the YAA has undertaken in a Huddersfield postcode since we launched this partnership in 2009.

“Keep It Up has also been of huge financial benefit to our Academy; the success of which is very important to the long-term sustainability of the Club.

“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to make the Keep It Up campaign such a huge success, from the staff at Huddersfield Town and the YAA to all the cyclists, walkers, runners and every other person who has participated in an event or has made a donation.”

For every £1 raised through the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign, 50p is donated to the YAA, and the other 50p is donated to the Huddersfield Town Youth Academy.

The monies have been raised through a series of successful events, including the annual ‘Pedal for Pounds’ bike rides which took hundreds of riders, hundreds of miles across the UK. The most recent ride saw nearly 300 cyclists embark on the ‘Chapman Trail’ cycling the 250 miles back to Huddersfield’s John Smith Stadium from Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in London. Over the five ‘Pedal for Pounds’ rides, 635 different cyclists have taken part, covering a total of 1,250 miles and raising in excess of £700,000 to the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign.

The ‘Walk for Pounds’ events have also raised over £61,000 and the annual carol concert tipped the £5,000 mark. There have also been many fantastic fundraising events organised directly by the fans themselves which have included a running from Lands End to John O’Groats, football tournaments, balls and local collections.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s logo also appeared on the front of the team’s shirts during the 2009/10 football season, with the players wearing a special YAA red and yellow shirt during a home win over Southend United in January 2010.

The occasion was marked in style earlier today when one of the YAA’s helicopters made a visit to HTAFC’s training ground at PPG Canalside – the home of the HTAFC Academy.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager Nicky Massen is flying high after being chosen as a Tour Maker Supervisor for the world’s largest annual sporting event.

She will be in charge of a team of approximately 15 other volunteer Tour Makers

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has announced its operational plans during the Grand Départ when it is expecting to see an increase in its activity as well as busier operational periods.

Yorkshire’s only emergency helicopter service has announced plans to operate a third aircraft for the week leading up to the Grand Départ as well as over the weekend the event will be taking place, the 5th and 6th of July. The third aircraft will complement and assist the already established two helicopters that the Charity currently operates.

Speaking about their plans, the YAA’s Chief Pilot, Captain Andy Lister commented: “During the summer months, we always see an increase in our operational activities. As the population swells with tourists and local residents being on holiday, the likelihood of accidents happening increases, and in many cases, the air ambulance needs to be utilised. Not only will we have normal day to day incidents to cover, but we will also have the increased visitor numbers expected leading up to and during the Grand Départ in early July.”

Captain Lister continues, “Although the Tour de France provides their own medical assistance for competitors, there will be the spectators and the local people who live along the route, and this is one of the many reasons why we have taken the decision to bring in a third helicopter to give us increased cover during this period. There will also be access problems with roads being closed as well as much of the route travelling through remote areas of Yorkshire where access can also sometimes be problematic.

We will be working alongside all of the emergency services and mountain rescue teams during this period, with support as necessary.”

The two current YAA helicopters are based on the Nostell Estate near Wakefield and at RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk respectively. The third helicopter will be added to the fleet for the week preceding the start of the Grand Départ and cover the weekend during the race. Between the three helicopters, one each will be based from their current airbases, whilst the third helicopter will be operational from stand-by points at pre-identified and surveyed locations close-by to and along the route.

Captain Lister added “We have been extremely fortunate to have been offered great support from some local land owners who been very kind to allow us an area of their land to operate our helicopter from during certain stages of the race. On day one, we will be up in North Yorkshire near Richmond at Wathgill Camp, and on day two we will be close to the village of Ripponden near Halifax. We hope that by positioning ourselves close to the route we will be in the best possible position to respond to emergency calls.”

The third helicopter is being provided to the Charity by helicopter services provider Medical Aviation Services (MAS) under their current agreement with the YAA for the provision of a relief helicopter. This means a helicopter is provided to the Charity during scheduled and un-scheduled maintenance periods to ensure they continue to offer optimum coverage. MAS have been generous enough to offer the YAA use of a third helicopter during the Grand Départ period knowing the increased activities the YAA are likely to experience. The helicopter itself will be provided to the YAA at no extra cost.

Director of Fundraising Paul Gowland adds “As many of our supporters will know, the YAA is an independent Charity needing to raise £9990 every day to keep our helicopters flying and helping to save lives. We have been overwhelmed by offers of fundraising support from businesses on the route, including public houses, campsites, shops and restaurants that are going to support us and organise fundraising events during the Grand Départ celebrations. We are constantly overwhelmed by the support we receive from the generous Yorkshire people and cannot thank them enough – we are looking forward to welcoming the Tour de France to Yorkshire along with its spectators, and showing them what a fantastic county Yorkshire is!”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent Charity providing a rapid response emergency service to the people of Yorkshire. Their two yellow helicopters provide air ambulance cover 7 days per week, 365 days per year. It costs £9990 each day to keep the Charity running, and with no direct government funding, relies on individuals, groups and organisations to help raise the vital funds required. The only help they receive is through the secondment of their paramedics from Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

If anyone is interested in supporting the Yorkshire Air Ambulance during the Grand Départ, please contact the Charity HQ on 01422 237900.

How do you thank the emergency services for saving your life? Michael Wood has found a way and he has now written a book about his experience. Catherine Scott meets him.

Chatting to Michael Wood in his beautiful Grade 2 listed home in North Yorkshire it is hard to imagine that just a year ago he was fighting for life after an horrific horse riding accident.

It was on June 16 last year just three months after Michael, his wife Ena, their seven horses, mainly Clydesdales, and numerous dogs moved into their home in Boltby, that everything changed.

“It was a beautiful day and I was out on a three-hour hack with my friend Andy from my home to Gormire Lake, just below Sutton Bank,” recalls Michael. “As I had saddled up Diola, a Dutch Warmblood, we had no premonition of catastrophe.”

But as the two friends decided to have a little fun and let their horses gallop something went wrong.

“I’ll probably never know exactly what happened, but I vaguely recall feeling Diola start to buck and hearing my own voice squeal. The next thing knew I was flat on my back on the ground and Andy was standing over me.

“It really didn’t seem that serious. It was just a fall. I’d had plenty before. I thought once I’d got over being winded I’d climb back on the saddle and ride on.”

But Michael’s injuries were far more serious than anyone could have imagined.

Some passing walkers came over to help and tried to get a mobile phone signal to call for help, which they eventually managed to do.

“I remember the ambulance crew arriving and asking me if it was okay if they cut my coat off,” continues Michael.

“I still thought everyone was making a fuss about nothing. From the moment it happened to this day I have suffered very little pain really.”

It soon started to dawn on him that things were far more serious than he thought. The paramedic noticed spots of blood on Michael’s chest, a sign of internal bleeding. They immediately called for the air ambulance as speed had become even more crucial.

“I never panicked though. As I lay there I did wonder if the farmer might come and put me out of my misery. I remember thinking: ‘If I die today I have had the most fantastic life so I can’t grumble. I haven’t wasted a moment, so I regret nothing’.”

As he was stretchered on to the air ambulance Michael was starting to lose consciousness.

“I remember someone saying ‘Michael stay with us, Michael stay with us.’ I also remember asking them to close the helicopter doors as I was cold, but obviously we were thousands of feet up and they were closed.”

The air ambulance took Michael to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough and he was rushed straight to intensive care where he was to spend more than a week fighting for life.

“I still don’t think I realised just how serious things were. It wasn't until a nurse pulled the curtains round me and explained the extent of my injuries and said ‘We nearly lost you’ that it hit home. It was worse for my wife Ena, who was faced with the prospect of having to sell the business and the house if something had happened to me.”

Doctors think Diola must have fallen backward onto Michael after she had thrown him off, landing on his left hip, She then rolled over him in an attempt to get back on her feet. As a result she caused catastrophic injuries, pushing his stomach up into his diaphragm which shattered, opening his pelvis, smashing both hips and many of his ribs.

Doctors had to remove his spleen in order to repair the other damage and he underwent two operations, one lasting seven hours, while surgeons tried to mend his shattered body.

Seeing him today it is hard to imagine just how seriously injured he was. He says much of that is down to his physiotherapist, Louise Broom.

However he does admit to some lasting effects. Due to having no spleen he will have to take penicillin for the rest of his life and he does suffer from pains and stiffness in his right hip, but things could have been far worse.

“If it hadn't been for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and staff at James Cook I would not have survived,” he says matter-of-factly. “I will be forever in their debt. How do you say ‘thank you’ to people who have saved your life?”

He may not now how to thank them but he is doing his best to do so. He has just published a book about his life and accident in a bid not to only raise funds for the air ambulance but also to give people some insight into how he became a successful entrepreneur despite struggling at school.

All proceeds from Whatever It Takes go to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Michael also recently held a party at his home which raised in the region of £20,000 and he also invited some of the staff who helped him. He is writing a second book which will raise funds for the James Cook Hospital. He is also involved in a campaign to raise £600,000 for a new scanner. But he wants to do more.

“I had never really thought about the resources the NHS needs,” says Michael. “I was horrified by the way some people abused the system and were rude to the nurses. I was eternally grateful to everyone. We take the NHS for granted. One of things I want to do is raise awareness of just how much it costs to be treated by the NHS.”

As for horses, they are 
still one of the loves of Michael’s life.

Within six months of leaving hospital he was out riding again and now tries 
to get out at least three times a week.

Two year’s worth of fundraising and awareness support from Sainsbury’s Wakefield Trinity Walk has made a huge difference to the staff at Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Thanks to generous donations from customers, the store has announced they have raised £19,235.35 in total. On 2nd June, colleagues from the store, including PR Ambassador Steve Scriven will be meeting the charity members at the Trinity Walk Store to celebrate the successful partnership. It’s been an amazing two years for the charity after they entered Sainsbury’s Trinity Walk’s Local Charity voting process back in May 2012. For the last five years, the retailer gives customers nationwide the chance to vote for their favourite Local Charity, to be considered to receive support from their nearby Sainsbury’s store. When the charity were announced as Sainsbury’s trinity Walk’s new Local Charity partner, Kerry Garner, Regional fundraiser, for Yorkshire Air Ambulance said “The continued support over the last 2 years from Sainsbury’s Trinity Walk has been phenomenal. We cannot thank the staff and shoppers enough for raising such an amazing amount, the money raised will ensure we can continue to save lives across Yorkshire. It may surprise many people that the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a Charity that relies solely on the generosity of individuals and organisations to help save lives across Yorkshire. To keep both of our helicopters in the air we need to raise £9990 every day. This is equivalent to £3.6 million per year, so the support from businesses and individuals is invaluable and greatly appreciated by everyone here at the YAA” Throughout the last 2 years, colleagues at the store held several activities to raise funds and awareness of the charity’s cause. These included Bag Pack’s Quiz Nights and Bucket collections which helped the Air Ambulance. Despite the partnership coming to a close, it doesn’t mean that the charity will now be forgotten, as Store Manager Sean Higgins explains: “Our colleagues have really enjoyed working with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and it’s certainly touched the hearts of many of them that before didn’t necessary have a direct link to them. We know what an important part they play in the community and we hope the partnership has helped remind our customers of the valuable service they provide in Yorkshire. Thanks to the partnership, we’ll certainly now be looking into ways we can support them in the future”. Customers now have the chance to vote for a Local Charity to be Sainsbury’s Trinity Walk’s new Local Charity Partner. Voting takes place from 28th May to 8th June, while customers can also vote online from 28th May by going to www.sainsburys.co.uk/localcharity. A shortlist of nominations will be drawn up after the closing date and the store’s colleagues will then invite the three charities that they feel best fit the needs of the community into store to talk about how Sainsbury’s can support them. The chosen charity will be selected based on the reasons given and the store will announce their chosen charity in July.