General

Employees from Cranswick Country Foods set off on their bikes from the Preston, Hull site travelling to the Cranswick Norfolk site last month and raised a fantastic £10,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The first annual Flying Pigs Charity Bike Ride saw 15 employees complete the 136 miles between the two Cranswick sites in one day – the first finishing in 7 hours and 45 mins and the last man completing in 16 hours and 30 mins.

Last week the Yorkshire Air Ambulance landed at the Cranswick Country Foods head office on the outskirts of Preston to collect the money from the Cranswick staff and other fundraising cheques from community groups in Holderness.

Chris Aldersley, Managing Director – Fresh Pork, completed the ride in 10 hours 28 minutes, he commented:

“It was a real team effort and although we are all keen cyclists, this was a long route to undertake. We were delighted to reach the finishing line and have so many generous supporters sponsoring our efforts.

“Supporting local charities is important to us at Cranswick, we are proud to be a part of this region – we invest heavily in jobs and facilities, but it remains important to us to give charitable support and we are delighted to be able to donate this amount to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, who serve us all.”

On receiving the £10,000 cheque, Bob Smailes, Regional Fundraising Manager for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “This is a phenomenal amount to raise – a really superb effort by everyone involved at Cranswick. To be supported by all levels of employees from across the business is real testament to their charity effort for us.

“This money will go directly towards helping run the Yorkshire Air Ambulances and saving lives on the ground. We are very grateful to everyone’s generosity, not only in the time given to do the bike ride, but also to the sponsorships of the riders. Their achievements will make a real difference to us – thank

you.”

Darren Axe, Clinical Supervisor and Air Crew Paramedic, on board the Air Ambulance, added: “It costs £3,600,000 every year to run the service and this huge donation is very gratefully received by us all at Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”

Local craftsmen have decided to enter into the spirit of the Tour de France route passing through Ripponden and past the showroom.

Brian and Lewis Brooks of B D Brooks Stonemasons, Ripponden, and a colleague Karl of Waterjet, decided to carve a bike out of solid stone.

This unusual bike can be seen in the window of B D Brooks Stonemasons in Ripponden and has already caused a lot of interest.

B D BROOKS STONEMASONS

(www.bdbrooksfireplaces.com) have worked all over the country carrying out bespoke stone masonry, with fireplaces a speciality. Waterjet has cut templates occasionally for B D BROOKS, and together thought the stone bike would be a great idea.

After the Tour de France, in order to support the whole of the Yorkshire area, the bike is to be raffled in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Raffle tickets are available in the showroom of B D BROOKS in Ripponden and at various other local outlets.

See our Facebook page or web site for details or tel 01422 822220

This summer the Tour de France, one of the world's greatest sporting events, is coming to the UK for three incredible days. To celebrate this, and to get involved in the cycling action, Napoleons Casino & Restaurant on Kirkstall Road in Leeds, will be hosting a 9 hour, 3 bike Cyclathon all in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

From 12pm until 9pm on Saturday 5th July Napoleons have three stationary bikes running non-stop, kindly supplied by Xercise4Less on Kirkstall Road. Staff, customers & friends of Napoleons are already signing up for 30 minutes slots throughout the day to keep the bikes going non-stop.

General Manager at Napoleons, Sandy Kopec, commented:

“We’re really excited about the Tour De France coming to Leeds & we thought the Cyclathon would be a great way to get into the spirit of things, whilst raising money for a fantastic cause.

It’s already shaping up to be a fantastic day; we have an outdoor gazebo, goody bags for all participants, well known faces taking part including rising local superbike star Ben Neary, and all the staff are going yellow for the day. On top of all of this, Xercise4Less will be joining us too and they’ll kindly be donating a month’s membership to the charity for anyone who signs up as a gym member on the day.

“The team at Napoleons would be grateful for any support you can give, whether it’s through signing up for a 30 minute slot or attending on the day to cheer the riders on to get involved in the tour spirit.”

Napoleons is Leeds’ longest established casino and opened its doors in 1986. Since then the venue has earned a reputation for an unforgettable night out with a fantastic restaurant and gaming experience coupled with exceptional customer service.

Napoleons nominated charity of the year, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, is an independent charity providing a lifesaving rapid response emergency service to 5 million people across Yorkshire 365 days a year. To keep Yorkshire's air ambulances in the air the charity need to raise £9990 per day which is equivalent to £3.6 million per year.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance has become one of the first air operators in the country to achieve compliance with new European air safety regulations.

The emergency rapid response charity – which operates two MD902 Explorer helicopters – has revised all its operator manuals to meet new European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requirements that come into force on October 28.

It now becomes just the third out of nearly 70 UK operators to be awarded a new Air Operators Certificate by the Civil Aviation Authority, which is responsible for ensuring compliance with EASA regulations.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance Chief Pilot Andy Lister said: “We were very aware that we would be moving from a UK to a European system of governance and so have re-written all our operating manuals in accordance with the new procedures laid down by EASA.

“That has now been approved by the CAA and we are delighted that we have become one of the first air operators in the country to achieve this.”

Both of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s aircraft have state-of-the-art medical and helicopter specification. They can reach speeds of up to 160mph and together provide a life saving rapid response emergency service to 5 million people across 4 million acres of Yorkshire.

In November 2012, the charity became the first air ambulance in the UK to acquire its own JAR-OPS Air Operators Certificate, employing all its own pilots.

Extended daily flying hours now ensure the service is operational for up to 14 hours during daylight, with the aircraft operating from air support units at RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk and a new, purpose-designed and developed base at Nostell, near Wakefield.

Andy added: “For many people the paperwork involved may seem onerous, but proper safety can only be achieved through the implementation of robust procedures that comply with published regulations. I am fortunate that the charity has provided support to ensure we achieve compliance so early.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance has carried more than 5,500 people in its 13-year history directly to hospital for treatment. 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.

As part of the company’s CSR activities for 2014, Leeds based Intellectual Property specialists, UDL, has chosen Yorkshire Air Ambulance as it’s charity of the year and has committed to helping their much valued services continue to thrive, and at this week’s Buy Yorkshire event the team enticed delegates from the exhibition to dig deep for the cause, with a little help from some of England’s most loved sporting stars.

Visitors to UDL’s stand at Buy Yorkshire were greeted by a signed England rugby shirt, which features Canterbury’s revolutionary neck design, which has been protected by UDL through intellectual property.

The shirt was signed by all 33 members of the 1st team squad, including Yorkshire born Danny Care.

UDL has chosen The Yorkshire Air Ambulance as their charity of the year and has committed to fundraising support throughout 2014, and guests at Buy Yorkshire were asked for donations for the chance to win the prize.

Allan Fiddes, Partner at UDL said: “We are big supporters of the work Yorkshire Air Ambulance do and wanted to find a fun way to get people to donate to them.

It’s an invaluable service that saves thousands of lives of people living in our region. The rugby shirt worked a treat – but we were a little sad to see it go!”

Nicky Massen, Regional Fundraising Manager at Yorkshire Air Ambulance said:“ We are delighted that UDL have chosen to support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance in 2014 and it was great to see them fundraising for us at this year’s Buy Yorkshire conference – what an ideal place to raffle such a fantastic prize! As an independent Charity, we have to raise £9990 each day to keep both of our helicopters in the air and saving lives – the support we receive from companies such as UDL is invaluable to us. We look forward to working with them throughout the rest of 2014.“

Urquhart-Dykes & Lord LLP (UDL), one of the UK's leading firms of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, specialising in all aspects of Intellectual Property Law and is proud to act for Canterbury of New Zealand, the sports clothing brand and official kit sponsor of the England Rugby Union Team.

The Middleham Stables Open Day celebrates its 21st anniversary this year on Good Friday, April 18, with a host of attractions for horse-racing enthusiasts and families alike.

Fifteen stables will be open to the public, with more than 500 horses for visitors to see, while racing will be screened live from a big screen at the Top Cross in Middleham from 1.45pm.

The star attraction will be “Trooper” Middleham, the popular cavalry horse, who was named after the town. “Trooper” Middleham will help to open proceedings at 9.15am and will then tour the town, before resting at the Manor House Stables of Jason Ward.

Another highlight of the day will be to see legendary Almaty Express, who will be paraded at John Weymes Racing at Ashgill Stables at 11am and 12.45pm.

Robert Beaumont, one of the organisers of the day, said: “Almaty Express is one of the most genuine racehorses the north of England has ever seen. He was bought for less than £4,000 after a selling race at Catterick 10 years ago, and during 143 starts, he won 22 and finished in the first three in a third of them. He is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement”.

Last year’s event raised more than £12,000 despite the bad weather and organisers hope to raise even more for this year’s many charities, including the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Household Cavalry Foundation.

Mr Beaumont said: “Last year was hit by terrible weather, with Easter being much earlier than usual. We are hoping for a much milder and warmer day this year to help make the Open day a great success. With the Tour de France passing through Middleham in July, and the continuing interest in Richard III, who had very special links with the town, these are tremendous times for the Newmarket of the North.”

He added: “With 16 stables open, containing some of the best racehorses in the north of England, this year will be one of the biggest and the best in the Open Day’s history. As we are celebrating our 21st anniversary, there is every cause for celebration.”

James Bethell, the chairman of the Middleham Trainers Association, said: “The traditional date for the Stables Open Day had been threatened with the introduction of Good Friday racing this year. However, with the support of Betfair and the Arena Racing Company, who are arranging the live screening of racing from Lingfield and Musselburgh, we are preparing for one of the most enjoyable Open Days of recent years”.

Jim Allen, the director of Arena Racing, added: “We understand that the changes to the racing calendar were controversial to some in racing but we are very pleased to show our support to the Middleham Open Day by ensuring visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the day’s racing as well as making the most of the many attractions on offer”.

Meanwhile a spokesman for Betfair said: “Open Days are an exciting way of allowing existing racing fans, and potential new fans, to see the sport from a unique angle. We are pleased to be part of making this happen”.

William Hague, Conservative MP for Richmond and the Foreign Secretary, said: “Middleham is a tremendous success story and fully deserves its reputation as the finest racing centre in the north of England. We have some phenomenally successful trainers and it is wonderful that they open their yards to so many people. This is a very special day in the racing year”.

Tickets cost £10 per adult, including a souvenir brochure and a chance to win a prize in the programme draw, which includes a signed photograph of top jockey and the 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year A P McCoy.

Admission for accompanied children under 12 is free.

The yards are open to the public on Good Friday from 9.30am – 1.00pm or 2.00pm. Free parking is available in Middleham or nearby Leyburn, with free bus links between car parks and the outlying stables. This includes Ann and George Duffield are opening their successful Sun Hill Stables at Constable Burton from 9.30am until 4.30pm.

For more details, visit

www.middlehamstablesopenday.co.uk

T:01969 624411

The Yorkshire Golf & Business Festival

Sunday 25th May – Tuesday 27th May, 2014

Moor Allerton Golf Club, Leeds

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity is delighted to have been chosen as one of The Yorkshire Golf & Business Festival’s nominated charities.

Come along and visit the YAA stand and enjoy the festival which offers something for all the family!

Try your skills on interactive golf attractions and win great prizes. Make great business contacts and listen to some very interesting guest speakers in a relaxed environment.

Enjoy a full day socialising in pleasant surroundings either under cover or out in the open.

Watch top Tour players and celebrities play and see an array of golf-related products, custom club fitting and holiday destinations.

The festival site will include a licensed bar, a choice of delicious festival food and lots of attractions for children including a bouncy castle, a funfair and a soft play area.

Entry to the festival is FREE (although car parking charges apply).

Festival Opening Hours: Sunday 9am – 5pm Monday 9am – 6pm Tuesday 9am – 5pm

For more information, please visit

http://www.yorkshiregolfandbusinessfestival.co.uk/

Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish will be among the cycling superstars roaming the region’s roads in pursuit of the Yellow Jersey on July 5 and 6 – and we want Yorkshire to go yellow too.

In the cycling spirit of Le Tour we want your help in giving Yorkshire a yellow glow as the 100-day countdown to the arrival of the Tour de France begins in earnest tomorrow.

The Yorkshire Post’s multimedia #yellowyorkshire campaign is asking readers to send in yellow pictures and stories of everything from bake-offs and sunflower-filled gardens to fun fancy dress days and yellow fundraisers.

Our vibrant push to give the region a Tour tinge will culminate in a Yorkshire-wide Wear it Yellow Day in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) on July 3.

We’re encouraging businesses, schools and communities to wear something yellow on the day, with individuals donating £1 each to the lifesaving charity.

Nicola Furbisher, managing editor of the YEP, said: “We want to make the once-in-a-lifetime visit of Le Tour as special as we possibly can. So whether you’re wearing it yellow with us or planting bulbs, we would love you to tell us all about your colourful plans in helping to turn God’s Own County yellow.”

The YEP will run a weekly round-up of all of your yellow events, pictures and stories in the YEP each Wednesday as well as updates of the latest groups pledging to wear it yellow on July 3.

We’re joining a whole host of two-wheeled crusades by the likes of Marie Curie Cancer Care and the RHS in a bid to pay a big yellow tribute to Le Tour.

Abby McClymont, of the YAA, said: “We would really love to see as many people as possible wearing yellow on July 3.”

To get involved, you can tweet your pictures and comments to our @leedsnews Twitter handle using the hashtag #yellowyorkshire or post them on our www.facebook.com/yep.newspaper Facebook page as the big event edges closer.

Visit www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/tdf.

Spectator hubs at Scott Hall in Leeds, Ilkley’s Riverside Gardens and Otley have been announced.

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

The Tour de France 2014 will be an unforgettable experience in Yorkshire.

Huddersfield Insurance Brokers, Eastwood and Partners’ charity committee has raised £1,620 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance at their first ever ‘Corporate Quiz Evening’. This beat their target of £1,500 set before the event.

The event, organised by Eastwood & Partner’s Vicky Shaw and held at The John Smiths Stadium saw 18 teams of 4 pit their wits against the quiz mistress. The teams were made up of Huddersfield firms including Boulton’s Estate Agents who took first prize. Yorkshire Air Ambulance also entered a team coming in second place, which included Captain Andrew Lister (Chief Pilot), Dr Jez Pinnell (Medical Advisor), Huddersfield based John Baxter (pictured) and Sam Burgess (Aircrew Paramedics), with Barclays Bank a close third.

Paul Gowland, Director of Fund Raising for Yorkshire Air Ambulance commented:

“It was a great evening and raised a fantastic sum for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. We’re really thankful that Eastwood and Partners chose our charity to focus this fundraising effort on, corporate support like this is invaluable and we look forward to many more successful events in the future.”

Vicky Shaw, Account Executive at Eastwood and Partners and quiz mistress on the evening commented:

“I was really pleased to see such a great turnout and I’m happy we were able to raise £1,620 for such a worthy cause. Hopefully this event will be even bigger

next year.”

The new drive by the well-respected Huddersfield firm will see them organise and run various fund raising activities in 2014, with the Corporate Quiz Evening in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance becoming an annual event

Peter Sunderland, Chairman of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance:

“We are absolutely delighted to hear the news that The Chancellor will be relieving the 5% VAT that we currently pay on our fuel. This will mean that as a Charity, we will be saving around £7,000 per year. This money can now be used to help fund the running of both of our life-saving helicopters. It costs £9,990 per day to keep both of the helicopters in the air and helping to save lives, and we are delighted with this extra bit of support from the government.”

On Thursday, 6th March 2014, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for 2014, Leeds-based Q8Oils will be supporting the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Flying seven days a week, 365 days a year, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is an independent charity providing a life-saving, rapid-response emergency service to over five million people across Yorkshire. The service covers major cities, motorways and rural and isolated locations in the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks.

Commenting on the announcement, YAA Regional Fundraiser, Kerry Garner said:

"We are delighted that Q8Oils has chosen us as part of its 2014 CSR programme. Their generosity, like that of our other patrons and supporters, is the lifeblood of the charity, without which we would not be able to provide the service that we are so proud of.²

The charity needs to raise nearly £10,000 per day which is £3.65 million per year to keep both of its MD902 Explorer air ambulances maintained and in the air; and Q8Oils has already planned its first fundraising event as part of its efforts.

The first event is the 25 mile Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge which will take place on Saturday 5th April and Q8Oils is inviting staff and their friends and family to take part or make a donation.

Commenting for Q8Oils, country manager Andy Dixon says:

"The Yorkshire Air Ambulance receives no direct government funding so we are arranging numerous fundraising events throughout the year to help raise funds from our friends, families, customers and suppliers to ensure that the YAA keeps providing life saving services."

Those interested in supporting Q8Oils¹ 2014 CSR programme and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance can request sponsorship details by calling Q8Oils on 0113 235 0555 or emailing Marketing@Q8Oils.com.

Further information on the Three Peaks Challenge can be found at:

www.3peakswalks.co.uk.

Huddersfield Town Club Partner Expect Distribution has pledged its support to this year’s Pedal for Pounds bike ride by offering its 45 foot liveried trailer to transport the cyclist’s bikes down to the starting point in London.

P4P5 cyclists will drop their bikes at PPG Canalside the night before the event on Tuesday 22 April where they will be loaded on to the Expect trailer ready for it to travel down to the capital ready for day 1 of the fundraising bike ride on Wednesday 23 April.

Neil Rushworth, Managing Director of Expect Distribution, (pictured here with Expect Operations Manager Mark Dunne, Katie Collinson of YAA and HTAFC Club Ambassador Andy Booth) said, “We are delighted to offer support to this year’s Pedal for Pounds.

“It’s great to see so many cyclists taking part to raise money for such a fantastic cause and the event grows in profile year on year.

“It’s a fantastic team effort from those who organise the event; through to the dedicated cyclists who take part and we are more than happy to lend our assistance where we can.

“We wish everybody the best of luck with the ride and their fundraising!”

Supporter Partnerships Manager Robyn Deegan added, “Without a doubt the most difficult element of planning the p4p bike rides is the logistical side.

“Getting 300 people down to London is easy enough, but getting their bikes there is a much harder task!

“On behalf of all the Club and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance I would like to express our thanks to Neil and the rest of the team at Expect Distribution for their support in helping us do this- put simply we couldn’t have done it without them.”

This season marks the fifth annual Pink Link Pedal for Pounds bike ride in aid of the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign which raises funds for the YAA charity and the HTAFC Academy.

The ride will begin at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, with participants cycling 250 miles back to the John Smith’s Stadium in time for HTAFC’s last home game v Leicester on Saturday 26 April.

Pictured here is Expect Operations Manager Mark Dunne, YAA's Partnerships Manager Katie Collinson and HTAFC Club Ambassador Andy Booth.

To sponsor Chairman Dean Hoyle, Club Ambassador Andy Booth and Commercial Director Sean Jarvis on p4p5, please visit:

www.justgiving.com/keepitupcampaign.