Archives: Community TYs

Holt Doctors, the respected medical recruitment specialists based in Skipton, have shown incredible generosity and community spirit by supporting YAA as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations.

The company, which specialises in sourcing temporary locum, fixed-term, and permanent roles for doctors across all grades and specialties, set themselves a meaningful challenge: to collect 25 bags of donated clothing in honour of our 25th year.

Thanks to the enthusiasm and kindness of their staff, Holt Doctors have not only met their goal – they have smashed it, collecting even more bags than originally planned. Their efforts will make a valuable contribution to our fundraising, helping us continue to deliver vital lifesaving care across Yorkshire.

We are delighted to share that Holt Doctors are keen to continue supporting YAA next year!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Holt Doctors for their dedication, generosity, and ongoing commitment to our Charity. Partnerships like this truly help keep us flying.

A Heartfelt Thank You and a Chance to Win a Yorkshire Masterpiece

Acclaimed wildlife artist Andrew Hutchinson has donated an original painting featured on the front cover of The Dalesman’s Christmas edition – a stunning winter scene of Rievaulx Abbey and the surrounding Yorkshire landscape. The painting is to be raffled in support of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Andrew, whose work is treasured in royal collections and admired across the world, devoted five days to creating this intricate piece in his studio near Pickering. Every brushstroke reflects both his deep love of Yorkshire and his desire to support a cause that means a great deal to him. Those who know his work will recognise the hallmarks of his signature style: extraordinary detail, quiet storytelling, and a genuine affection for the natural world.

His inspiration came from the walks he and his wife Louise take across the hills near their home, where they often hear rescue helicopters overhead. Moved by the life-saving work done in our region, Andrew wanted to give something meaningful back. This painting, created specially and offered with heartfelt intention, is the result.

We are immensely grateful for Andrew’s generosity, and to The Dalesman for hosting the raffle that will help raise vital funds. Together, they have turned a piece of art into a lifeline.

Thank you to everyone taking part, spreading the word, or simply sharing in the spirit of community that makes support like this possible. Your kindness helps keep our services flying.

If you would like to be in with a chance of winning this beautiful artwork, visit www.dalesman.co.uk/prize-draw/

Local Eyes is a family-run local advertising company responsible for the free letterbox magazines across parts of West and South Yorkshire. These magazines are a key way of connecting communities with local businesses, events, and charities – and we’re incredibly grateful that YAA has become a regular feature.

Back in lockdown, we reached out to Louise, who leads the business, to ask if she might consider donating a little space in one of her publications for a YAA advert. She generously agreed, and what started as a simple ask has grown into a fantastic partnership.

Thanks to their support, the Charity now appears in at least one of their magazines each month. This ongoing exposure has helped us promote everything from our January recycling campaign and Christmas raffle to our festive events like the Christmas lunch and wreath-making workshops – all of which have seen great engagement as a result.

Corporate Fundraising Manager, Helen Berriman said, ‘We are truly grateful for the generosity, time, and platform that Local Eyes have given us over the years. Their commitment to local causes like YAA makes a real difference, and we look forward to continuing this brilliant partnership in the years to come’.

A huge thank you goes out to The Knaresborough Tractor Run CIC for their continued dedication and support over the years! What began as a small community event in 2016 has grown into a spectacular annual fundraiser, with the 2025 edition seeing a record-breaking 417 tractors take part.

The event’s impressive route, stretching from Harrogate Showground to Pateley Bridge, brings a buzz of excitement as supporters line the streets to cheer on the participants. The atmosphere is electric, showcasing the true spirit of community and the support for a cause that helps save lives.

To date, The Knaresborough Tractor Run has raised an incredible £164,427, all of which goes directly to the Charity, helping to keep life-saving helicopters in the air and ensuring they can continue their vital work across Yorkshire. The event’s success is a testament to the generosity of participants, sponsors, and the local community.

The Tractor Run has become an essential event in the region, blending fun, community, and charity in a way that brings everyone together for a worthy cause. Thank you to everyone who took part and contributed to this outstanding achievement!

Clare Deacon, Regional Fundraiser – North, said: The event is a highlight of our year and kicks off the fundraising season. To see all the tractors heading down Pateley Bridge is a real spectacle as is meeting the wonderful visitors who come out to support the event each year.  A special thanks must go to the amazing team that make the event bigger and better every year.

Thank you to the Yorkshire Dales Autograss Club, based in Thornborough, North Yorkshire, for choosing YAA as its Charity of the Year in 2024.

Last year and at one of their race meets, a spectator, Clive Taylor, had a cardiac arrest. Members of the club helped initially, then CPR by Medics UK was performed until YAA arrived on scene. As a result of this, YAA has now been chosen to be the club’s official charity every year going forward and they have already raised over £1,200 – a generous contribution that will support YAA’s critical work in saving lives across Yorkshire.

The heartfelt story of Clive’s recovery was shared on social media by Michelle Hurell from Medics UK, with Clive’s permission. Michelle recounted the events from the day of the cardiac arrest, recalling how Clive was found face down in the grass and CPR was started immediately. After about 15 minutes of resuscitation, and with the help of others, Clive’s heart restarted just as the air ambulance arrived. Remarkably, Clive was able to communicate with medics and was discharged from the hospital just three days later, with no heart damage.

Recently, our North Regional Fundraiser Clare, and Community Fundraiser Michelle were invited to the club’s presentation evening.  During the evening, the club hosted a raffle and a game where each person involved put £5 in a pot, with half the money being donated to YAA. Clive was then asked to pull the winning ticket for the other half of the money and pulled out his wife’s name! She then donated her prize money, resulting in almost £700 being raised for the charity.

YAA is incredibly grateful to the Yorkshire Dales Autograss Club for their continued support and looks forward to working with them in the future

Thank you, Yorkshire Dales Autograss! Your generosity truly makes a difference.

Joe Beecroft from Hampsthwaite North Yorkshire recently chose donations over presents for his 21st Birthday and raised a fantastic £822 for YAA. Joe was inspired after our crew was called to an incident near his home. Our aircraft landed in the field of the next-door farm after one of his friends had fallen from a height. Joe’s friend suffered a broken back, but we were pleased to hear he has now made a full recovery. Joe is also a great supporter of the annual Knaresborough Tractor Run, who have raised money for YAA since 2012, with hundreds of people travelling from far and wide to line the roads and watch the impressive display of hundreds of tractors in action. Clare Deacon, Regional Fundraiser explained ‘Joe has generously chosen to support YAA instead of receiving 21st Birthday Gifts. His kindness will help to keep the helicopters flying. Thank you to Joe and his family and friends for your amazing support’.

On a chilly December day in 2024, Laura Laycock and her friends laced up their running shoes to tackle the Ribble Valley 10k, a popular and notoriously fast course in Clitheroe, all while raising essential funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Together, they’ve raised over £1000 to support the Charity and every step they took was a tribute to love, friendship, and the strength of community.

The decision to support YAA was made by Laura, after her daughter’s 10-year-old best friend Thomas, tragically died in a quadbike accident on his family farm in June 2024.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Critical Care Team provided vital medical assistance, before Thomas was flown to Leeds General Infirmary however sadly his condition deteriorated over the following days.

North Regional Fundraiser Clare Deacon said, “ We are very grateful to Laura and her friends for taking part in the Ribble Valley 10k event to raise funds for YAA. This generous donation will play a significant role in enabling Yorkshire Air Ambulance to continue its life-saving missions across the region.”

A determined group of 20 staff from Evelyn & Partners, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, took their fundraising to new heights by climbing Snowdon in September and raised a total of £1,859 plus £447.25 in gift aid for YAA.

 This was then generously match-funded by the company bringing the total amount raised to an amazing £4,165.25.

The team’s efforts extend beyond mountains, and many participated in the Leeds 10K this summer, continually supporting our mission.

Helen Berriman, West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for YAA, met with the team and expressed heartfelt appreciation for their contribution, saying, “We want to thank Evelyn & Partners for their generosity and support. This donation will play a significant role in enabling Yorkshire Air Ambulance to continue its life-saving missions across the region.“

Kelling Group have supported YAA since 2021, alongside Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm and 4Louis. 

The team are full of innovative fundraising ideas and has taken on the infamous Yorkshire 3 Peaks and Land’s End to John O’Groats challenges, bake sales and raffles.

Kelling Group have raised £31,800 to date with each charity receiving £10,600. 

Helen Berriman, West Yorkshire Interim Regional Fundraising Manager for YAA said “We’re thrilled to have such committed support. Support from our local businesses is vital to help us continue our valuable work, and we’re so grateful to Kelling Group for helping to give back to their local community.”

for YAA said “We’re thrilled to have such committed support. Support from our local businesses is vital to help us continue our valuable work, and we’re so grateful to Kelling Group for helping to give back to their local community.”

The ‘Silverbacks’ held their annual golf day at Keighley Golf Club, West Yorkshire this summer. The Golf Day was set up in 2008 following the tragic loss of Trace Aldersey. The majority of people who attended the first golf day were connected to Wharfedale Rugby Club where Trace played, and most lived in the Skipton-Grassington area and were very aware of the lifesaving work of YAA.

Trace’s family chose YAA as the charity they would like to support from the proceeds of the events and the Silverback Golf Day has now raised a staggering £42,631.20 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Mick Riddiough, a friend of Trace’s said ‘As time has gone on, choosing YAA has seemed a more and more relevant choice as we all either know or know of someone you have helped. We are all of a similar mind, and will be supporting YAA as long as we are able to carry on the golf days’.

YAA are truly grateful for their ongoing generous support and helping keep our helicopters flying and saving lives across Yorkshire.