Huddersfield Town FC have announced the dates for the fifth annual Pedal for Pounds sponsored bike ride in aid of the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign!
The event will begin on Wednesday 23 April 2014 and will end on Saturday 26 April 2014.
Full details of the event including destination and route information will be revealed at the end of November- keep checking htafc.com for more details.
Read more at
http://www.htafc.com/news/article/keep-it-up-p4p5-date-1171792.aspx#y2sX2OvXV82GbzCo.99
A courageous York teenager, whose life was saved by Yorkshire Air Ambulance, has received a special award from her helicopter heroes.
Charlotte Leighton, 18, was honoured at a Recognition Awards evening held by the independent charity to mark the amazing achievements, commitment and courage of volunteers, official fundraisers and corporate supporters.
Charlotte of Tollerton, near York, almost died seven years ago after suffering severe facial injuries in a road accident outside her home.
The badly injured girl was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary by Yorkshire Air Ambulance where surgeons re-built her shattered face using pioneering facial reconstruction surgery. Since then Charlotte and her family have raised well over £50,000 for the rapid response charity.
A wide range of organisations and companies were also recognised for their support at the special dinner at RAF Linton-on-Ouse hosted by YAA patron and ITV Calendar presenter Gaynor Barnes.
They included Yorkshire free range egg company James Potter, which displays the YAA logo on all its packaging and is donating 1p from every pack of 12 eggs sold to the rapid response charity which should create an annual income stream of £20,000 a year for the air ambulance charity.
The family-run farm is just a few fields away from YAA’s northern base at RAF Topcliffe, near Thirsk, and supplies eggs to all the major supermarkets across Yorkshire.
RAF Linton on Ouse and the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, Alanbrooke Barracks, were joint winners of this year’s Chairman’s Award to recognise their efforts in helping the YAA successfully relocate to RAF Topcliffe.
The YAA is an independent rapid response emergency service serving 5 million people across Yorkshire. Without any direct government funding, the only help the charity receives is through the secondment of their paramedics from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
In its 13-year history the charity has carried more than 5,200 people but needs to raise £9,900 each day to keep its two helicopters in the air and maintained – equivalent to £3.6 million a year.
Charlotte Leighton receives her award from Suzanne Walton of award sponsors Arco.
Team members at the Wilko store in Abbey Walk Shopping Centre, Selby, are preparing for a fiendishly fabulous Halloween event to raise vital funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the store’s regional charity of the year.
Donning fangs and spooky fancy dress instead of their usual red uniforms, team members will hold the creepy event on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October when they will be inviting customers to take part in an array of ghoulish activities, to raise awareness and funds for the worthwhile cause.
Brave customers and children will be entertained by a range of spook-tacular activity for kids, including a pumpkin carving masterclass and a colouring competition, while shoppers will also be able to purchase some homemade creepy cakes.
Andy Heaton, store manager, said: “Our team members can’t wait to dig out their super scary costumes and we’d love our loyal customers to come along and join in the fun.
“They’ve always been avid supporters of our fundraising events in the past and we hope our Halloween activities will help make a difference to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”
Bob Smailes, from Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We rely on donations to keep the charity going, so having such wonderful support from Wilko is a fantastic helping hand for us.
“The team at the Selby store is really enthusiastic about fundraising for our charity and we know this time will be no different – we hope they have a fang-tastic time!”
A family owned firm after more than 80 years of trading, JK Wilkinson opened the first Wilko store on Charnwood Street, Leicester, in 1930. The company’s portfolio has expanded significantly over the decades that have followed and there are currently 372 stores across the UK, including 10 in Scotland.
Serving 10.5 million customers each year and selling over 25,000 product lines, including health & beauty, cleaning products, seasonal essentials and homewares both in store and online at Wilko.com, Wilko is dedicated to providing its customers with high quality products, choice and first class, friendly service.
Wilko is committed to Britain’s high streets and prides itself on being a community focused retailer, actively supporting local charities, community groups and empowering its team members to support great causes that are locally important to them.
This years Walk For Pounds saw 175 Huddersfield Town Fans and Fundraisers take on the 19 miles from YAA Air Base at Leeds Bradford Airport back to their home ground, The John Smith Stadium.
Together with Town's Academy, The Yorkshire Air Ambulance will benefit from all the hard work and dedication of The Keep It Up Fundraising Campaign.
Since the campaign's launch in 2009, £964,000 had been raised and with the £1m mark insight walkers marched on knowing their target was in reach.
Town Chairman, Dean Hoyle said he was delighted with the support behind this year's event.
"It went really well, the weather was on our side and everybody was in good spirits."
"The highlight of any of the walks or cycles is those who take part getting the recognition when they get back to the stadium."
Yorkshire Air Ambulance Director of Fundraising Paul Gowland, who also took part in the walk said, "It was absolutely fabulous at 5.30am to see so many people ready and raring to go and willing to walk for six hours.
"There was a mix of young people and more experienced walkers and the camaraderie was phenomenal."
Mr Gowland stressed the importance of what has now become and established event on the club's charity calendar.
"It's hugely important and is as much about the message about the work we do as the fundraising."
Yorkshire Air Ambulance has been shortlisted for the Lloyds Bank Community Fund 2013 in South Halifax.
The rapid response charity is urging people to vote for them for a chance to be awarded a £3,000 grant from Lloyds Bank.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity providing a rapid response emergency service to five million people across Yorkshire – England’s largest region. It needs to raise £9,900 each day to keep its two helicopters in the air and maintained.
The service operates two helicopters from bases in West and North Yorkshire and in its 13-year history has transported more than 5,000 patients to hospitals across England’s largest region.
Janet O’Hara, Grants and Trusts Officer from YAA said: “We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for the Lloyds Bank Community Fund! What makes this one so special for us is our Charity HQ is based in Elland so we couldn’t be any more local to the branches!
“We are a totally independent charity, receiving no government funding so to be awarded monies from funds like the Lloyds Community Bank is vital to help us keep both of our helicopter in the air and saving lives. We would be very grateful if people voted for us to help us try and win the £3,000 grant. The money would help significantly towards our daily running costs.”
The Lloyds Bank Community Fund is helping local people to have a positive impact at the heart of their communities by giving grants to over 1,300 local good causes in villages, towns and cities across England and Wales. In each community, four local good causes will receive an award – two of £3,000 and two of £300.
To vote for Yorkshire Air Ambulance go to the Lloyds Bank Community Fund website at: www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund. You can also vote by texting VOTE KKJC to 61119 or in person in Lloyds branches at Brighouse and Elland.
Community Fund 2013 voting is open until 1 November 2013.
Approximately 4,000 people descended upon the hotel in Pontefract on August 1st to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, as well as to celebrate all things Yorkshire.
Crowds basked in the summer sunshine, enjoying food and drink from Yorkshire-based suppliers. Entertainment on the day included a falconry display, a police dog demonstration and a floral show from celebrity florist Carl Wilde.
At midday, The YAA landed one of their Helicopters in the hotel grounds, giving children the opportunity to meet the pilots, sit in the cockpit and have their photo taken.
Hotel manager Catherine Harrild said:
“It’s the third year running we've held the event and, once again, it’s exceeded our expectations. The weather was perfect and all the entertainment was fantastic. We’d like to thank everybody who attended and helped raise so much money for local charities.”
Kerry Garner, Yorkshire Air Ambulance Regional Fundraiser commented “The annual Yorkshire Day fundraiser at Wentbridge House is now a key event in the YAA calendar and we’d like to thank them very much for choosing to support our charity.
"This year’s event was fantastic and the whole day had a great atmosphere! We were delighted that one of our helicopters was also able to make a visit this year to help reinforce just why it is so important for us to raise the money we need. It costs £9,990 each day to run the charity, and we rely solely on individuals, groups and organisations such as Wentbridge House and its customers to help us raise those vital funds. We’d also like to thank everyone who came along on the day and supported the event.”
Yorkshire Air Ambulance Flying High After Wilko Renews Charity Support
Wilko stores across the county have renewed their pledge to support Yorkshire Air Ambulance, after raising more than £130,000 for the life-saving charity last year.
During 2012/13, staff at 18 Wilko stores completed a range of fundraising events and activities to help Yorkshire’s helicopter heroes.
Their efforts brought in a staggering £131,630 for the independent rapid response charity, which needs to raise £9,990 each day to keep its two aircraft flying.
Wilko team members have once again voted to support Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) as their chosen charity and stores from York to Wakefield have already started their fundraising drive.
Kerry Garner, YAA Regional Fundraiser, said: “We have enjoyed a fantastic year of fundraising with the Wilko stores across Yorkshire.
“There have been some great fundraising events taking place and the enthusiasm from all the stores has been wonderful. To raise over £131,000 is absolutely phenomenal.
“We are also delighted to hear that the teams have chosen us for a second year of fundraising and we look forward to working with them again to raise vital funds to help keep both of our helicopters in the air and saving lives.”
A family owned firm after more than 80 years of trading, JK Wilkinson opened the first Wilko store on Charnwood Street, Leicester, in 1930. The company’s portfolio has expanded significantly over the decades that have followed and there are currently 372 stores across the UK, including 10 in Scotland.
Since opening its first store, Wilko has been committed to Britain’s high streets and prides itself on being a community-focused retailer, actively supporting local charities and community groups.
Cliff Hall, Wilko regional manager, said: “We’ve had a wonderful year supporting YAA and we hope the grand total raised by all the stores in the region will make a real difference.
“But we’re not stopping there – we can’t wait to get going with this year’s fundraising. There’s plenty of ideas in the pipeline and we hope our loyal customers will support them and see us on our way to another amazing total.”
Customers can also show their support to YAA by donating in one of the county’s 18 stores:
Armley, Huddersfield, Bradford, Headingley, Pontefract, Crossgates, Shipley, Dewsbury, Wakefield, Barnsley, Morley, Selby, Halifax, Brighouse, Clifton Moor (York), Castleford, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds Trinity
Photo caption: Kerry Garner, YAA West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser with Wilkinson store managers and colleagues
Paramedics and doctors at Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) have worked with the UK’s leading safety company to design new flight suits.
The customised salopettes and jackets have been produced by Arco, the Hull-based provider of workwear, personal protective equipment and workplace safety products.
The company’s designers worked closely with YAA medics to ensure the new suits meet the need to deliver emergency medical care to trauma patients – often in very difficult conditions.
YAA paramedic John Baxter said: “The suits are lighter while still providing all the protection we need to be able to do our job safely and effectively.
“It has been a very good process. We went to see the designers at Arco and they have been out to our Air Support Unit to see at first hand the demands placed on the suits.
“As well as being flame and tear resistant, they have micro-bacterial layers to ensure that any blood and other body fluids can’t penetrate. The knees have extra padding and the suits feature lots of pockets purpose-designed to fit what we need to carry.”
Arco is a major sponsor of YAA and supports the life-saving charity by providing advice and guidance on personal protective equipment.
Richard Sansom, Product and Procurement Manager – Hazardwear, at Arco said: “Our core purpose is to keep people safe at work and we’ve used our expertise in safety product design and development to produce these suits to meet the exact needs of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team.
“They are often working in extreme conditions, helping to save lives and need to be able to rely on their uniforms and equipment to protect them as they carry out their demanding jobs. As experts in safety, we are proud to be associated with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and fully support the essential work it does.”
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.
The service operates two helicopters from bases in West and North Yorkshire and in its 13-year history has transported more than 5,000 patients to hospitals across Yorkshire.
Caption: Yorkshire Air Ambulance paramedics John Baxter and Tony Wilks in the new flight suits.
Asda raise more than £50,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Asda staff and shoppers at stores throughout Yorkshire have completed a super summer fundraising spree for Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).
During the three months from June to August, the supermarket's 17 stores across Yorkshire raised a staggering £53,634 for the life saving charity.
Money was collected through a wide range of activities and events including sponsored bag packing, tins on the tills, in-store Yorkshire Day celebrations, sponsored walks, raffles and the sale of YAA merchandise.
Louise Brown, Community Life Champion at Asda's Glasshoughton Superstore, said: "We have wonderful staff who have responded fantastically to this fund raising campaign.
"Yorkshire Air Ambulance is such a fantastic, life-saving charity and a service that is close to our hearts. The helicopter came to the aid of an Asda Home Delivery driver who had an accident and helped him receive the urgent treatment he needed.
"So Asda stores in Yorkshire are delighted to be providing them with a substantial donation."
Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent rapid response charity, which has carried more than 5000 patients in it's 13 year history, needs to raise £9990 each day to keep it's two helicopters in the air and maintained. That's equivalent to £3.6 million a year.
Kerry Garner, YAA regional fundraiser said: "We have had a fantastic few months working with Asda colleagues and customers across Yorkshire.
"To raise over £53,000 in such a short space of time is brilliant and we cannot thank them enough. 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."
Pictured is Asda fundraisers and store managers from throughout Yorkshire meeting Yorkshire Air Ambulance and paramedics and aircrew after raising £53,634 for the life saving charity in just three months.
A pretty South Yorkshire village is celebrating the expected return of summer this weekend with a fund raising festival in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Cawthorne, near Barnsley, is definitely the place to be on Saturday with stalls and family fun activities throughout the day at the local village hall on Tivydale where a willing team of volunteers will be serving “all day” breakfast sandwiches, teas, coffees, sausage sizzlers, salad sandwiches, cakes and biscuits throughout the day. The hall will be open from 10am to 5pm and they are encouraging people to pop in and show their support.
The special weekend has been organised by longstanding YAA supporter and Cawthorne resident Margaret Cooper to raise money for the independent rapid response charity, which needs to raise £9,900 each day to keep its two helicopters in the air and maintained. That’s equivalent to £3.6 million a year.
The fund raising moves to Cannon Hall Farm on Sunday, which is celebrating Pear Day, where there will be a YAA stall in the car park throughout the day running a raffle and selling various YAA merchandise. YAA staff will also be on hand to talk to people about the life-saving work carried out by the charity.
The weekend’s fundraising events culminate in a special signature luncheon on Monday to be hosted at the Spencer Arms, Cawthorne, for local businesses & YAA supporters. The exclusive luncheon includes a bespoke 3 course menu designed by the Spencer Arms head chef Ben Atkinson with a welcome cocktail on arrival. Diners will also hear firsthand about the experience of working with the YAA from Clinical Operations Manager and Paramedic, Pete Vallance.
Tickets are £30 per person and a final few are available by calling Margaret Cooper on 01226 790838
Fans have an extra chance to take part!
The deadline to join Town's 2013 'Walk for Pounds' event, which raises money for the 'Keep It Up' campaign, has been extended by an extra week!
Town fans now have until 5pm on Monday 23rd September to sign up to the 19 mile walk, which will set off Yorkshire Air Ambulance's airbase at Leeds Bradford Airport to the Stadium in time for the home game against Watford on Saturday 5th October 2013.
Huddersfield Town's Supporter Partnerships Manager Robyn Deegan urged fans not to miss out: "The Club has decided to extend the deadline by an extra week to give supporters every opportunity to get involved in this fantastic event.
"We've already got over 120 fans signed up and we're hopeful we can get near the 180 who took part in the equivalent walk in 2012 as the more walkers we have, the more money we will raise for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Huddersfield Town Academy."
The event entry fee is £10 per person which includes a breakfast pre-walk, a snack and refreshment as well as an 'I completed the Walk' t-shirt. Coach transport from Canalside to LBIA is also included courtesy of Stotts Coaches.
Please note participants aged 15 and under must be supervised by an adult aged 18+ and will be required to complete a parental consent form.
To download the entry form, please see the link; http://www.htafc.com/documents/walkforpoundsform238-1006393.pdf
and return to Walk For Pounds, Huddersfield Town, The John Smith's Stadium, 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.
Digital Media Systems & Halifax Bus Company Donate Free Advertising To Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Digital Media Systems of Brighouse have fitted advertising display screens into buses operating around the Halifax area of West Yorkshire. It is the first scheme of its type in the UK with digital advertising inside public transport. Because it is proving effective for local business advertising, as well as Calderdale Council and the local college, it was agreed that it would help raise donations for YAA.
The joint operation, organised between Avtar Singh (MD of Digital Media Systems) and Neil Walsh (MD of Halifax Bus Company) is running animated adverts that include video scenes of the YAA helicopters in action. The text message in the ads request donations of just £3 by texting direct from a mobile phone as well as through the YAA website or by telephone.
The buses carry 1.5 million passengers a year and runs daily shuttles between local areas for 2500 employees of Lloyds Banking Group.
Following the pilot scheme in the Halifax area, Digital Media Systems is to roll out the scheme to other public transport operators in various regions.