Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has been generously supported by a significant donation of £98,000 from two esteemed Freemason groups: Thornborough Lodge Freemasons and Hebden Bridge Freemasons from The Lodge of Prince Frederick.
This substantial contribution underpins the Freemasons’ unwavering long-term commitment to supporting essential emergency services across Yorkshire and will significantly enhance YAA’s critical operations.
Led by Mike Ramsay, Master of Thornborough Lodge and John Dinsdale, contributed £50,000 towards the cause, while the Hebden Bridge, Lodge of Prince Frederick, represented by Robert Walker, Arthur Chapman and Basil Greaves, donated £48,000.
The funds will be utilised to procure essential equipment, including state-of-the-art handheld ultrasound devices for each YAA helicopter and Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs), specialist helmets for the medical crew, and the implementation and six-year subscription of PHEMnet, a cutting-edge clinical and patient database system.
The implementation of PHEMnet enables seamless integration between YAA and key clinical databases, facilitating comprehensive analysis of patient journeys and interventions. This integration offers valuable insights and key learnings for YAA’s critical care team, further enhancing the quality of their life-saving services.
Furthermore, introducing the Butterfly iQTM handheld ultrasound device will revolutionise pre-hospital care by enabling mid-air scans and rapid transmission of critical information to emergency teams, expediting treatments, and improving patient outcomes.
Dr Stuart Reid, Medical Director at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, emphasised the positive impact of the ultrasound machines, stating, “The introduction of handheld ultrasound devices will significantly enhance our diagnostic capabilities, particularly in cases of cardiac arrests. This advanced technology will empower our medical teams to make critical decisions swiftly, ultimately improving patient outcomes and aiding us to save more lives.”
Expressing gratitude for the Freemason groups’ invaluable support, Mike Harrop, Chairman of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, remarked, “We are deeply grateful for the generosity shown by Thornborough Lodge Freemasons and the Hebden Bridge, Lodge of Prince Frederick Freemasons. Their donations not only provides vital equipment but also serves as a testament to the community spirit that fuels Yorkshire Air Ambulance. With their support, we are empowered to continue our lifesaving mission, ensuring that every person in need receives the highest standard of care, no matter where they are in Yorkshire.“
Earlier this year, the Freemason groups were warmly welcomed to YAA’s Nostell Air Support Unit in Wakefield, where they had the opportunity to see one of the YAA’s operational H145 D3 helicopters up close, and meet the dedicated team of Pilots, Paramedics, Doctors and other key members of the charity’s staff, further strengthening the bond between the organisations.
Robert C Walker, a member of both Thornborough Lodge No 6434 in Leyburn and a previous member of the Hebden Bridge, Lodge of Prince Frederick Freemasons, played a pivotal role in facilitating the donation process. Mr. Walker expressed, “It is an honour to facilitate this meaningful contribution on behalf of both Thornborough Lodge and the Lodge of Prince Frederick. The Freemason ethos of charity and community support resonates deeply with the mission of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and we are proud to play a part in advancing their life-saving work.”