The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has received several phone calls to the Charity HQ recently regarding unsolicited ‘door knockers’ operating in the North and West Yorkshire regions claiming to be from the ‘Air Ambulance’. We have also been notified of this by North Yorkshire Police.
We would like to take this opportunity to clarify our stance on this and the way in which we do and do not operate. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance would never send any staff member or volunteer door knocking or asking you to sign up to a lottery or make a regular donation to the Charity. This kind of activity is something that goes against our fundraising ethics and something we have never done, nor do we have any plans to do so.
If you have had someone knocking at your door claiming to be from an ‘air ambulance’ and would like to make us aware or discuss your concerns, please feel free to call charity HQ on 01422 237900. Whilst this would not have been us who has knocked on your door, we may be able to point you in the direction of someone who can help.
Helen Callear, Director of Fundraising (North and East) for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We understand that now is an incredibly difficult time for many charities across the region, desperately trying to plug a funding shortfall, but the Yorkshire Air Ambulance would never condone door knocking or cold calling or pestering for donations.
We would urge all of our supporters to be extra vigilant and would like to thank everyone for their continued support.”
To find out more about the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and how we fundraise, please visit: https://www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk/about/how-we-are-funded/