Archives: Community TYs

We would like to say thank you to the following trusts for their support over the last twelve months, which has helped towards the cost of aviation fuel, keeping our air ambulance helicopters flying across Yorkshire and saving lives every day:

• Shaw Lands Trust
• Sir James Reckitt Charity
• Whitwam Family Charitable Foundation
• Bawtry Parish Council
• Joseph & Annie Cattle Trust
• Westfield Health
• Hull & East Riding Charitable Trust
• Cutlers Company Charitable Trust
• CP Thackray General Charitable Trust, Leeds
• Kirkburton Parish Council

In October 2023 the Hobson Charity awarded us with a grant of £8,000, bringing the total the London-based charity has awarded to Yorkshire Air Ambulance to £18,240 to date.

Founded in 1985, the Hobson Charity is the Hobson Family’s grant-giving charity, originally founded by Sir Ronald Hobson, KCVO (1921-2017) who was a British entrepreneur, business owner and dedicated philanthropist.

The Hobson Charity has supported YAA since mid-June 2016 and we would like to thank them for this grant and all of their previous support. 

A huge thank you to the Gill family for decorating their house and garden in Northallerton and allowing Father Christmas to help raise funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Most nights throughout December, Wilf, Marjory, their daughter Becci, and their granddaughters, welcomed families who braved the wet weather and made donations to the life-saving Charity.

They provided 14 large sweet tubs, mulled wine and mince pies and put on a dazzling spectacle of a display.

This year they raised an amazing £2606.80 which brings their total raised for Yorkshire Air Ambulance to a phenomenal £8,857.81, raised over the last three years.

Thank you to the generous people of Northallerton and all the Gills for their continued support and for helping to keep our helicopters flying across Yorkshire, saving lives.

Cannon Hall Farm, situated in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, has once again fortified Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s (YAA) mission with an £800 donation from the proceeds of their recent litter of puppies.

Pip, the cherished sheepdog residing at Cannon Hall Farm, joyously welcomed a litter of eight adorable puppies affectionately named ‘The Pip Squeaks’ into the world. Opting not to prioritise profits from the sale, the farm’s compassionate team consciously allocated funds from each puppy’s sale to various charities close to their hearts.

Among these charities, £800 was generously directed to Yorkshire Air Ambulance, reaffirming Cannon Hall Farm’s steadfast commitment to bolstering crucial emergency services across the region.

Laura Lawton, South Regional Fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, expressed gratitude for the heartfelt donation after meeting with the farm’s team. She remarked, “It’s been an absolute delight meeting Pip; she’s a fantastic dog, and her pups are simply adorable. I wish each of the ‘Pip Squeaks’ the very best in their new lives in their forever homes!

On behalf of everyone at YAA, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible team at Cannon Hall Farm. Their unwavering dedication to our cause is truly commendable. Their generous contribution will play a crucial role in ensuring that we can continue to be there for those who rely on us during critical times.”

Ten members of the Asda Tech team, headquartered at Asda House in Leeds, have completed the Coast-to-Coast charity cycle challenge spanning 200km over two days, raising over £6500 in donations for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).

The decision to support Yorkshire Air Ambulance wasn’t just ASDA’s commitment to social responsibility; for one member of the group, it held a personal significance. In memory of his late friend Ian Stewart, he undertook the challenge as a heartfelt tribute, honouring Ian’s legacy and contributing to the crucial efforts of the charity that attempted to save his life.

Ian, an avid and experienced motorcyclist, tragically lost his life in an accident near Sherburn-in-Elmet while on his way to Squires Café in 2018. Despite his extensive experience, a collision with a car at 50mph caused Ian’s motorcycle to skid over a verge and collide with a tree.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Critical Care Team provided vital medical assistance in an attempt to save Ian’s life, before flying to Leeds General Infirmary, a major trauma centre, 20 minutes from where the accident occurred.

Sadly, despite the best efforts of those on-scene and at the hospital, Ian’s condition couldn’t be reversed, and the decision was made to cease life support. It was thanks to the quick response from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance that his wife Fiona and their two children had the chance to say goodbye at his bedside.

The challenge, which is set along a 200km route took the cyclists through the stunning landscapes of the Lake District, traversing the North Pennines and following the historic fringes of Hadrian’s Wall before culminating at Whitley Bay on the North Sea coast.

Helen Berriman, West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for YAA, recently met with the team to delve deeper into their cycling challenge. She expressed heartfelt appreciation for their contribution, saying, “We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone in the ASDA Tech team who participated in the Coast-to-Coast challenge and raised a remarkable sum for our service, all while honouring Ian’s memory. It’s truly commendable. This generous donation will play a significant role in enabling Yorkshire Air Ambulance to continue its life-saving missions across the region.“

In a display of community support, Acumen Waste Services has generously contributed £890 to Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) to support their vital missions.

This significant donation is made as part of their ongoing dedication to the organisation’s Social Value Charter.

The decision to contribute to Yorkshire Air Ambulance was driven not only by Acumen Waste Services’ commitment to social responsibility but also by their personal connection with the cause. With members of their team regularly witnessing the Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopters passing overhead and even observing a mission in close proximity to their Knottingley site, which deeply resonated with the team.

Helen Berriman, West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for YAA, had the opportunity to meet with the team and learn more about their fundraising efforts. Expressing her appreciation for their donation, she said, “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Acumen Waste Services for their generosity and support. Their commitment to our cause is truly commendable, and their donation will significantly aid our life-saving missions across Yorkshire.”

Looking ahead, Acumen Waste Services aims to continue aiding YAA through their internal supporter scheme, further strengthening the charity’s vital operations in the future.

The tight-knit community of Drax near Selby has demonstrated their unwavering support for Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) by organising a successful day-long fundraising campaign, which saw many of the village’s residents come together in a series of engaging activities, that raised a staggering £1,657, along with an additional £144 through the sale of official YAA merchandise.

The village has a profound history of rallying behind the vital services provided by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, recognising its significance in a rural setting where many residents hold personal connections to its life-saving missions.

The fundraising day was comprised of three pivotal fundraising activities, beginning at The Huntsman pub with a morning cake sale, featuring an assortment of apple pies, buns, and cakes generously baked by local residents.

In the afternoon, a spirited badminton tournament took place, with entrance fees directly contributing to the air ambulance fund. This tournament, an annual event, was played for the coveted Drax Badminton Charity Cup, donated by Tony Emmerson.

The day culminated in a curry night at The Huntsman pub, where a delicious meal cooked and donated by Paul Dulkoan drew in residents and badminton players alike. The evening was a hit with locals, demonstrating the village’s ongoing dedication to supporting the cause.

Rachel Stone, representing the Badminton Club, expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in the fundraising effort, stating, “The overwhelming support from our community is truly inspiring. I am thrilled to have been part of this successful fundraising day, we had so much fun, and it really brought people in our local community together for a fantastic cause. As a result, we are committed to continuing our support for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and hope to continue to raise awareness for their lifesaving missions.”

Regional Fundraising Manager for West & South Yorkshire, Vickie Cowan, extended her sincere thanks to Drax Village. She said, “The generosity and dedication shown by the residents of Drax are invaluable to us. Their efforts enable us to continue our life-saving missions, and we’re immensely grateful for their ongoing support.”

Following the success of the fundraising day, The Huntsman pub organised a Halloween party, with proceeds going to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Tony Watson, a resident of Shelley near Huddersfield, has demonstrated exceptional community spirit by raising an outstanding £948 in support of Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).

Tony hosted several successful community fundraising events, including regular pub quiz nights and a ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ Queen themed community concert in his local village, featuring a Queen Tribute band.

The quiz nights were held at Tony’s local pub, The Rising Sun Inn, in Shelley, proving to be a hit among pub regulars, fostering a sense of camaraderie while contributing generously to the fundraising efforts.

The music concert, which was held in September, rocked throughout the evening with residents being treated to a mix of the iconic band’s greatest hits including ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Are the Champions’. On the night, Tony had organised a raffle, which was widely popular due to the range of prizes on offer, bolstering his final fundraising total.

Once the final funds were collected, the YAA West Yorkshire Fundraising team had the opportunity to meet Tony and personally thank him for supporting the charity’s lifesaving missions. West Yorkshire Community Fundraiser, Stephanie Maynard, expressed her gratitude, she said, ‘We are incredibly grateful to Tony for his fundraising efforts, his pub quizzes and community concert were huge successes, and as a fan of Queen myself, I am certain the audience were rocking through the night! Contributions like Tony’s are invaluable in sustaining the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, ensuring we can fulfil our promise to be there for those who need us across the region’.

To embark on your fundraising journey or to share your fundraising story, click here.

Harveys of Halifax, a distinctive and locally cherished independent department store in Halifax, West Yorkshire, has successfully completed its fundraising campaign in support of Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) throughout the month of October.

Harveys of Halifax hosted 15 collection tins across their various outlets and organised stalls at the centre, resulting in an exceptional fundraising achievement of £776.23.

The 4th generation family-run establishment, renowned for its diverse range of offerings spanning womenswear, menswear, beauty, and home, including esteemed brands like Barbour, Dune, Levi’s Karl Lagerfeld, benefit, Clarins, Estee Lauder, Molton Brown, and Neom, demonstrated unwavering commitment in support of Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA), with their fundraising efforts bolstering the charity’s lifesaving mission.

YAA Volunteer, Pat, had the opportunity to meet the team and extended her heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated team for their commitment and generosity. She said, “The store’s proactive engagement and community-driven initiatives exemplify their dedication to supporting essential services like the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. This accomplishment stands as a testament to their ethos of giving back to the community “.

We would like to say a massive thank you to the Community Foundation for Calderdale and R B Gray Charitable Trust for helping to fund new iPads, which are being used by both our aviation and medical crew.

The iPads allow our aviation crew to locate patients quickly and safely, using a bespoke mapping application which identifies the closest and safest site to land in order to reach the patient.

Once we have landed and our crew are on the ground, our medical team can use the iPads to locate the patient using What3Words if they need to traverse some distance on foot. They can also be used to access clinical information which cannot be easily remembered, such as children’s drug dosages.

Without generous donations and funding such as this, we would not be in a position to save lives across Yorkshire every day.

Read more Community Thank You articles HERE.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) extends its heartfelt appreciation to Colin Alyward for his unwavering commitment and dedication to organising the Heath Classic Car Transport Rally. This annual event, held every August bank holiday, has not only become a much-anticipated gathering for classic car enthusiasts but has also emerged as a significant source of support for YAA and The Well Project in Normanton, a local food bank initiative.

The Heath Classic Car Transport Rally is a much-loved community event, with people travelling from far and wide to attend. The cars on display are a testament to the pride and passion that owners invest in their cherished automobiles.

Colin’s steadfast commitment to nurturing community bonds and fostering charitable contributions through the classic car rally has garnered remarkable attention. To date, his efforts have generated an impressive total of over £5.5k in donations. These funds play a crucial role in supporting Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s life-saving missions, as well as supporting The Well Project initiative, which is committed to addressing local food insecurity.

Members of the YAA team recently had the privilege of visiting Colin and his dedicated team, where they gratefully collected the proceeds from the rally. Reflecting on the event’s success, YAA Regional Fundraiser for West Yorkshire, Helen Berriman, said, “Colin’s dedication to both our charity and The Well Project is truly inspiring. The events consistently draw enthusiastic crowds and showcase an array of fantastic classic cars. Colins ability to bring people together is a testament to his passion and generosity for supporting such vital causes. We are profoundly thankful for his ongoing support and the impact it has on our life-saving missions.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance wholeheartedly thanks Colin Alyward and all the events participants, sponsors, and attendees who have consistently contributed to making the Heath Classic Car Transport Rally an extraordinary success year after year.

Emily Stocks, a dedicated equestrian from Sheffield, demonstrated her commitment to a noble cause by hosting a delicious bake sale and raffle on July 29th at her stables in Deepcar, Sheffield. The event not only showcased her baking abilities but also highlighted her strong connection with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, an organisation close to her heart.

Emily’s motivation for organising the fundraising event stemmed from her own journey as a former patient of Yorkshire Air Ambulance. In 2019, a horse-riding accident marked a significant turning point in her life, and the swift response and expert care provided by the air ambulance team played a crucial role in her recovery. This experience ignited Emily’s desire to give back to the charity that came to her aid.

The bake sale and raffle were a resounding success, attracting enthusiastic support from the local community and fellow equestrians.

Through their generous contributions, Emily managed to raise an impressive total of £742. The funds raised will go directly towards supporting the vital operations of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, ensuring that their life-saving services continue to make a difference in the lives of individuals across the region.

With the success of this event, Emily Stocks is excited to continue her efforts in supporting the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and its noble mission. Her dedication serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating the power of personal experiences and community collaboration in driving positive change.

South Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser, Laura Lawton, attended on the day on behalf of Yorkshire Air Ambulance. She said, “Emily’s dedication to raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is truly commendable. Her bake sale and raffle event were not only a delightful treat for our taste buds, but also a heartwarming testament to her commitment to supporting YAA. After learning of Emily’s personal connection to our charity, it makes her fundraising even more heartfelt – A huge thank you to Emily from everyone here at YAA.”