Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has received a generous £22,000 donation from Sovereign Health Care, marking another year of steadfast support from the leading not-for-profit health cash plan provider. This increase follows last year’s significant contribution of £19,000.
The donation is part of Sovereign Health Care’s Community Programme, which is dedicated to supporting health initiatives that have a tangible impact on the Bradford community and more widely in West Yorkshire. The funds will be crucial in covering essential operational costs, ensuring that YAA can continue its vital emergency response services across Yorkshire.
Sovereign Health Care has been a Principal Partner of Yorkshire Air Ambulance since 2001, with their contributions playing a pivotal role in the charity’s operations for over two decades. Symbolising the partnership, the Sovereign Health Care logo takes pride of place on YAA’s helicopters, as a testament to their long-standing commitment to community health and wellbeing.
Sovereign’s Chief Executive, Neil McCallum said: “We are delighted to increase our support this year. The dedication and impact of YAA in saving lives is truly inspirational.
Our Community Programme aims to support initiatives that make a real difference to the community, and YAA’s work perfectly embodies this mission. It’s a privilege to support their critical services and see our contributions make a direct impact on community Health.”
Marianne Haworth, Grants & Trusts Manager at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, expressed profound gratitude for the renewed and increased support:
“The ongoing partnership with Sovereign Health Care is invaluable. Their increased donation this year highlights their dedication to our cause and the communities we serve.”
Yorkshire Air Ambulance is very grateful to receive the generous support of organisations like Sovereign Health Care. To learn more about YAA and how you can contribute to their essential services, please visit our Corporate Partnership page.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Jan Swallow, a dedicated volunteer from Holmfirth, who has raised over £100,000 for the charity since she began fundraising in 2010.
Jan attends over 20 fundraising events per year and recently surpassed her ambitious target during a charity gala in Ravensknowle Children’s Gala, where her efforts brought her total to an impressive £100,069.
Jan holds a deeply personal connection to the charity, after her son Graham was involved in a serious motorbike accident in May of 2007. While traveling on Snake Pass (A57), a road well-known for its sharp bends connecting Sheffield and Manchester, Graham hit a road sign, causing him to fall from his bike and down a steep roadside ravine, with his motorbike suspended from a tree above him.
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s critical care team, including Sammy Wills, the charity’s current longest-serving paramedic, provided crucial on-scene support, including extracting Graham from the ditch, which took almost an hour to complete. Once freed, the team swiftly transported Graham to Sheffield Northern General Hospital, where he sadly passed away.
In the wake of her son’s death, Jan found solace in fundraising for the organisation that gave her son the best chance of survival.
In 2009, Jan took on her first fundraising challenge, raising over £1,700 by completing a charity skydive from 13,000 feet as part of the Huddersfield Town Football Club’s ‘Keep It Up’ campaign, which allocated the funds between YAA and the club’s academy.
After a year of raising funds through the campaign, Jan decided to conduct her own independent fundraising, focusing all her efforts on supporting Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Jan is an avid crafter and enjoys sewing and embroidery, a hobby she picked up from her mother, who is a keen knitter. In early 2010, the pair combined their skills and created their own crafting business, “J2 Crafts”. Operating from stalls across Yorkshire and via Facebook, the duo became a hit with customers, donating 100% of their proceeds to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Prices at Jan’s stalls range from £1 for lucky dips to £20 for more luxurious, custom pieces. Her products include pinafores, tote bags, and adult bibs featuring cheeky slogans, along with charming knitted bears and popular knitted characters such as Disney princesses and superheroes. These unique pieces have garnered a loyal following, with customers often returning for more.
It is not uncommon for Jan to raise hundreds of pounds when hosting a stall, with her record being £1,800 across two days at Harewood House during a VW car rally. The demand for their unique creations has grown so much over the last 14 years that Jan has recruited additional knitters, Audrey Jones and Pamela Franchamp, to help keep up. Audrey and Pamela volunteer their time and skills, knitting additional bears for free, without even taking a percentage for the wool they use.
In addition to her fundraising efforts, Jan and her husband Peter are also dedicated Yorkshire Air Ambulance volunteers and can often be found assisting the charity’s fundraising teams at key events throughout the year.
Jan’s fundraising was not without its obstacles, as the COVID-19 pandemic halted events that were key for raising funds. Jan adapted by selling face masks online, featuring football team crests and other important logos, including 300 masks for The Royal College of Nursing. During the two lockdowns, Jan created over 2,000 masks, raising £4,000 for YAA. In addition, she made 800 PPE gowns for her local hospital, demonstrating her versatility and dedication to helping her community.
Reflecting on her journey, Jan said, “When I began fundraising, it was more of a ‘let’s see how much we can achieve’ mindset. Now, it has become an integral part of my life. This work is both my passion and my therapy, providing a way for me to cope and find purpose. I have transformed my grief into a positive force for this incredible charity.
I always think about how someone else’s fundraising allowed the air ambulance to attend to my son, and now I consider my efforts as paying it forward for others who need YAA’s help. When my son Graham was studying Fine Arts and Photography at university, he was tasked with creating a symbol and a word that represented himself. He chose the word ‘Evolve.’ I see this as a fitting metaphor for my journey and the evolution of YAA, which has significantly grown as a service and is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary next year.”
Jan’s efforts have not gone unnoticed either. She has received multiple awards for her contributions, including a Yorkshire Air Ambulance recognition award (2012/13), Huddersfield Town Football Club’s ‘Contribution to the Club’ Award (2010/11), the Huddersfield Examiner ‘Services to Charity’ Award (2017), and the Honley Village Community ‘Chairman’s Award’ for Fundraising (2021).
Chairman of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Mike Harrop, expressed deep gratitude to Jan for her remarkable fundraising efforts, stating, “Jan’s dedication is truly remarkable, and we are immensely grateful for her outstanding efforts. Surpassing the £100k milestone is an incredible achievement, highlighting her unwavering commitment to our charity. Over the past 14 years, Jan’s fundraising has played an indispensable role, significantly contributing to ensuring that we can uphold the highest standards of pre-hospital critical care for those in need, thereby leaving a lasting mark on our organisation. Her story serves as a powerful testament to the profound impact one individual can have. As we approach our 25th anniversary, we encourage others to draw inspiration from Jan and contemplate how they too can contribute to our mission, be it through volunteering, providing support, or raising awareness.”
Yorkshire Air Ambulance relies entirely on the generosity of individuals like Jan to sustain its operations. Her incredible fundraising efforts have made a significant impact, helping to ensure that YAA can continue to provide critical care to those in need.
Jack Dunwell, a 17-year-old maintenance apprentice from Wakefield, has braved the shave to raise an impressive £1000 to support the rapid emergency response charity, Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Working at The Nostell Estate in Wakefield, which is home to one of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s operational air bases, Jack was motivated to make a difference within his local community. Although Jack had been growing his curly shoulder-length hair for a while, he made the selfless decision to part ways with his locks for a good cause.
Prior to shaving his head, Jack’s curly hair reached his shoulders.
In addition to his cash donation for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Jack was also determined to support the work of Little Princess Trust by donating his hair to help make high-quality, human hair wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments.
Speaking about his experience, Jack said, ‘I am thrilled to have raised £1000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and supported the Little Princess Trust with my hair donation. It was an honour to support such worthy causes and make a difference in my community.
I always see the Helicopter flying over the Nostell Estate while I am working and wonder where the team are going and whose life they may be saving. I hope that my efforts can inspire others to contribute and help the charities continue their life-saving work’.
Initially setting a £500 target, Jack was thrilled to have received over £887 through his online Just Giving page. To help increase Jack’s target, his mother, Karen Chatterton, organised a luxury hamper to be raffled on the day for additional funds. The hamper raised £156, giving Jack an overall total of over £1000.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance Reginal Fundraiser, Helen Berriman, attended the head shave and presented Jack with an official YAA Beanie to keep his head warm afterwards. She said, ‘We’re absolutely thrilled with Jack’s donation. It’s heart-warming to see such generosity from someone so young, and it’s truly inspiring to see Jack go above and beyond to support both our charity and the Little Princess Trust.
Jack Dunwell, kept his head warm with his new YAA beanie hat after his head shave to raise funds for YAA.
We’re also very grateful to Karen for organising the raffle hamper, which helped Jack double his initial fundraising goal. Every penny counts, and with Jack’s £1000 donation, we can continue to provide rapid response, emergency medical care to those in need across Yorkshire’.
Harrogate-based family fashion brand, Luce & Bear, has proudly launched their first charity collaboration in partnership with Yorkshire Air Ambulance, with 100% of the profits going towards funding future lifesaving missions across the region.
The unisex navy hoodie created by the talented sisters Lucy and Clare Bulmer, showcases an intricately crafted, hand-drawn design, based on the essence of the YAA’s lifesaving missions and the beauty of Yorkshire.
Within the design, a multitude of symbolic illustrations, each holding significant importance to the emergency response charity. From representations of the region’s four major trauma units to common accidents the air ambulance frequently attends, such as motorbike, bicycle, and horse incidents, the design also pays homage to the male and female crew who selflessly serve the community. All elements are brought together by a central helipad illustration, symbolising the crucial role Yorkshire Air Ambulance plays in saving lives from the sky.
The hoodie is available in sizes ranging from XS to 3XL and is designed to provide a true-to-size, comfortable, and flattering fit for all. Luce and Bear are dedicated to producing products responsibly and are committed to environmental, ethical, and equality practices. Each hoodie is PETA-approved vegan and manufactured in a WRAP-certified factory.
The collaboration between Luce and Bear and Yorkshire Air Ambulance began at Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s first Christmas lunch event in 2022. The sisters hosted a stall on the day, forming an instant connection with the YAA team through their shared dedication to charitable causes.
Bringing a unique prospective to the partnership, during the early stages of the collaboration, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance crew attended an incident concerning one of the staff members at Hebden Wood Equestrian Centre, where Lucy keeps and trains her Dressage horse. This personal encounter, so close to home, further emphasises Lucy’s connection to the charity and highlighted the importance of the YAA’s lifesaving work which influenced the final design.
The hoodie design inspiration was taken from Luce and Bears bestselling ‘healing hoodie’ which is an ode to Lucy’s ongoing battle with chronic Lyme Disease, aiming to offer strength, power, love, and luck to those facing their own personal battles.
Leanne Seward, Marketing and Brand Manager at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, expressed her delight with the collaboration, saying, “Working with Luce and Bear on this charity collaboration has been an absolute pleasure. Their dedication to creating meaningful designs that resonate with our mission is truly commendable. We are grateful for their support and the opportunity to partner with such a passionate and talented brand. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of those we serve“.
Following the creation of the hoodie, the sisters were thrilled to have the opportunity to present their design to the lifesaving crew during a visit to the air base. Their enthusiasm for the collaboration and the meaningful symbols incorporated in the design further fuelled the sisters’ passion for supporting the charity.
Lucy and Clare, who have over 20 years of shared retail experience said, “We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Yorkshire Air Ambulance on this meaningful project. As sisters and passionate designers, it has been a truly fulfilling experience to create a hoodie collection that not only showcases our love for Yorkshire but also supports such an essential lifesaving charity.
This collaboration is just the beginning for us, and we have big dreams to expand our range in the future. We can’t wait to see how people respond to our designs and join us in making a difference“.
On the 26th of June 2013, Sam Waddington from Bridlington in East Yorkshire was travelling home from work on his Motorbike when a car hit him whilst he was travelling at approximately 37 miles per hour, leaving Sam with life-changing injuries.
Sam, who at the time was employed as a sheet metal worker at a local factory, finished his shift early and hopped on his streetfighter-style Triumph Speed Triple motorbike to head home. Whilst Sam was weaving through bumper-to-bumper traffic, a car pulled out suddenly to access a slip road, ploughing straight into Sam as he passed by.
Sam was thrown from his bike, which was later found in three pieces, and passers-by including an off-duty police officer quickly sprung to action, calling the emergency services. Sam sustained many serious injuries, including a number of fractured vertebrae, broken femur, nose, collarbone, shoulder, and ribs along with many other scrapes and cuts to his skin.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance dispatched one of their helicopters and after an assessment on-scene, Sam was flown to Hull Royal Infirmary where he received lifesaving surgery before being placed into a medically induced coma for a week.
At the age of 24, Sam’s life was forever altered when his leg was amputated below the knee after doctors were unable to preserve it during his two-month hospitalisation.
Sam remembers how consultants originally told his family that his injuries were so severe that at the time of admission, his condition was really touch and go as to whether or not he would survive.
Sam was determined once he was home to commit to his physiotherapy, with his main goal to return to work. Sam recalled ‘When I was in hospital, time felt like a blur, but I knew when I was back home that would be when the real work really had to take place. I was keen to get back to work and have my normal life again’.
Sam reached his goal to return to work after an intensive 18-month recovery. However, as his life gradually regained a sense of normality, he felt his outlook on life had altered forever. Sam said, ‘I had a fresh prospective on life, and I knew there was so much out there to see… I came so close to death that I felt I had a second chance. It was time to make a change, and see the world’.
It was during his adventures across the globe, Sam met the love of his life, Amber, and the pair were soon married. The couple spent nearly five years backpacking around Europe, Asia, and America before returning to the UK to settle down. During this time, Sam also gained his personal Helicopter License and now relishes the opportunity to fly, only this time, under much happier circumstances.
Speaking on his travel memories, Sam said, ‘Sure, it would be amazing to have my leg back, but the things I have gone on to do and the people I have met and places I have seen have been incredible, and I wouldn’t have done them if I didn’t have my accident. If I still had my leg, I probably wouldn’t have met my wife, which seems so crazy to me!’.
Today, Sam works for Fletchers Group as Charity and Partnerships Coordinator. A law firm which is dedicated to supporting individuals with life-changing injuries for over 30 years.
When referring to his accident, and the people who helped to save his life, Sam said, ‘Without Yorkshire Air Ambulance, I honestly believe I wouldn’t be here today. The team were instrumental in getting me to hospital as fast as they did. Although I don’t remember much from the day, I cannot thank each and every person for their help, you have my utmost respect and gratitude.
To anybody who may find themselves in a similar situation to myself, and facing life as an amputee, just know – don’t give up on life. Things will get better, and I am living proof that with the right mindset, life can be an incredible thing, even without my leg!’.
Eight years after his life-changing accident, Martyn Piercy, 47, has his heart set on raising as much money as possible by creating his own triathlon challenge, to support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) team that helped to save his life.
After an accident at work left Martyn with life-changing spinal injuries, the YAA team were dispatched and after an assessment on-scene, Martyn was immediately flown to Leeds General Infirmary where he was rushed into emergency 9-hour surgery.
Sadly, Martyn’s spinal injuries were too severe, leaving him paralysed from the waist down. However, after spending six months in a spinal rehabilitation unit, his positive ‘can do’ attitude ignited a determination to fight against his diagnosis and regain some movement in his legs, with a long-term aim to walk again.
A former stone worker, Martyn now considers physiotherapy his full-time occupation, seeing each day as a ‘shift’ to reach his mobility goals. Martyn said, ‘The biggest challenge for me is the mental process to keep going, taking the good days with the bad. I devote nearly five hours a day to physiotherapy exercises. I see it as an investment into my quality of life and a way to keep my life as normal as possible whilst living with my injuries’.
Determined to give thanks to the team who saved his life, Martyn has organised his own triathlon challenge around his hometown of Dalton in Thirsk, with the help of his cousin, Stephen Piercy.
The triathlon which takes place on the 7th of May has been adapted for Martyn, who will be completing a 100-metre walk in callipers, a 15-mile handcycle, and finishing with a 500-metre swim. Stephen will be supporting his cousin by completing a 6-mile run, a 15-mile cycle, and a 750-metre swim.
Stephen is no stranger to taking on athletic fundraising challenges, raising over four-thousand pounds for charity in 2019 whilst completing the Great North Run. Speaking of the decision to support his cousin, Stephen said, ‘I am incredibly proud of Martyn, his ambition and determination to complete this triathlon has been remarkable and I couldn’t be prouder. Thank you to everyone who has already donated, the money is going to an excellent charity, without which, Martyn’s injuries could have been significantly worse!’.
Tracking their training journey on fitness community platform Strava, the pair have shared training videos, training routes and personal best times. As a result, the cousins have received an influx of supportive messages cheering them on ahead of the big day.
Martyn said, ‘Throughout the years, I have always known in my heart when I was physically up to the task, that I was going to do something to give back to the YAA team. It was just a matter of ensuring I was fit enough to handle the challenge. I am forever grateful to the team, they immediately came to my aid and got me to the hospital as quickly as possible. I have no idea what would have happened to me if they weren’t there, the team saved my life that day.
I am so glad to Stephen for joining me on this challenge, he is more than family, he is a great friend, and I am so thrilled he will be there on the day by my side to keep me going’.
Initially setting a two-thousand-pound fundraising goal, in just one month, the duo has exceeded their target hitting £3,874. With a week left before their challenging triathlon, the pair are still working hard to encourage further donations and support.
Tessa Klemz, Regional Fundraiser (North), said, ‘Everyone at Yorkshire Air Ambulance is rooting for Martyn and Stephen. When we first heard of Martyn’s story there was a sense of awe in the room for how inspirational he truly is. We wish them both the best of luck for the big day!’.
Over 8,500 people across Yorkshire have received lifesaving care by the quick action of Yorkshire Air Ambulance service over the past 23 years. For further information please visit www.yaa.org.uk or to speak to the friendly team call 01422 237900.
The Bradford Super Soap Box Challenge returns this Sunday, April 30th, and will be supporting the vital work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, with funds raised on the day going towards helping the charity to continue its life-saving missions.
The busy streets of Bradford are set to come alive with the thrilling sound of chants and cheers from the lively crowds who will line the streets to watch over 20 teams compete in their homemade racing carts as they descend down a specially designed 200m course, all in support of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Throughout the day, prizes will not only be awarded to the race winners but teams will also be judged on the most innovative cart design, best turned-out Soapbox crew, sponsors choice, and joker of the day.
Set to shift into gear, ‘Team Grimwood’ from Keighley will also be raising their own personal funds to donate to the charity, in addition to the event organisers. The team’s creative soapbox has been modelled on one of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s helicopters, complete with its G-YOAA registration number at the back. The team had initially aimed for a £300 fundraising target via their JustGiving page but have been delighted with the response from their local community, receiving over £1200 plus £250 in gift aid so far.
It currently costs £19,000 per day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and operational in the air. As an independent charity, YAA relies on the generosity of individuals and organisations to operate and help save lives across Yorkshire.
The Bradford Super Soap Box Challenge is a free family-friendly event that encourages teams of all ages and backgrounds, promising to be an action-packed day with live music and entertainment. Tasked with organising the event, Andrew Pearson, events marketing director at The Super Soapbox Challenge Company, said, ‘We are delighted to be bringing the Bradford Super Soap Box Challenge back for its second year and to be supporting such a fantastic cause. The event was a huge success last year, and we’re confident that this year will be even better. We’re looking forward to raising as much money as we can for this vital charity’.
West Yorkshire Community Fundraiser at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Clare Deacon, will be in attendance on the day with a team of fundraising volunteers. Clare will be stationed at the event in a high-tech promotional vehicle, which has been specially adapted and designed to allow the YAA fundraising teams to bring a state-of-the-art immersive experience into local communities. Fully equipped with a replica cockpit, which features curved screens showing aerial footage of the ground, guests will experience how it feels to take off and fly through the skies of Yorkshire.
Clare said, ‘We’re thrilled to be selected as Charity of the Year for the Bradford Super Soap Box Challenge. The funds raised from this partnership will help us continue to provide our vital service to the people of Yorkshire.
We have attended the event in previous years and always had a brilliant time, our team is very excited, and we are all looking forward to seeing the teams in action and hope to raise as much as possible’.
For more information about the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and how you can support the life-saving work of the Charity, please visit www.yaa.org.uk.
Well-known landmarks and businesses across the region are set to be illuminated Yellow in solidarity with Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s month-long awareness campaign, Yellow Yorkshire.
On Saturday the 22nd of April, many well-known locations will shine a beacon of yellow light as a symbol of gratitude and unity with the lifesaving charity. The sites include Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds Town Hall, Leeds City Museum, First Direct Arena, Wakefield Town Hall Clock Tower, Meadowhall shopping centre, and Black Sheep Brewery in Masham.
Event organisers at Yorkshire Air Ambulance are still hoping more businesses will follow suit and pledge their support to light up over the weekend. In addition, one of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance airbases, situated at Nostell Priory near Wakefield, will also take part in the light-up event, lighting up the outdoor entrance and the inside of the hanger. Local people are also being encouraged to light up windows in their homes or their social media profiles with a yellow light to join in with the campaign.
This April marks the ninth Yellow Yorkshire campaign, which has grown from a one-day event into a month-long fundraising campaign. The campaign has seen the YAA team touring across the region on an educational roadshow to promote the lifesaving work carried out by the dedicated, expert team of pilots, doctors, paramedics, and technical crew members every day.
It currently costs £19,000 per day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and operational in the air. As an independent charity, YAA relies on the generosity of individuals and organisations to operate and help save lives across Yorkshire.
Event organiser, Vickie Bowden, Regional Fundraising Manager at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said, ‘We’re thrilled to see so many businesses and landmarks across Yorkshire supporting Yellow Yorkshire this year. This is the first time we’ve asked businesses to light up their buildings, and the fact that so many are keen to be involved is a testament to how highly regarded Yorkshire Air Ambulance truly is.
We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the businesses that have already pledged to take part in the light-up event, and we encourage more businesses and individuals to join in and show their support. Together, we can help ensure that our lifesaving service can continue to be there for the people of Yorkshire when they need it most’.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) fundraising team are on the move and touring across the region as part of their much-loved Yellow Yorkshire campaign, which celebrates the life-saving work carried out by the emergency service.
This April marks the ninth Yellow Yorkshire campaign, with the team setting their sights sky high, as the usual one-day event has developed into a month-long fundraising extravaganza, with multiple events and activities for people of all ages to get involved with.
It currently costs £19,000 per day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and operational in the air. As an independent charity, YAA relies on the generosity of individuals and organisations to operate and help save lives across Yorkshire.
The roadshow sees two high-tech promotional vehicles, which have been specially adapted and designed to allow the YAA fundraising teams to bring a state-of-the-art supporter experience into local communities throughout Yorkshire.
Inside the vehicles, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the replica cockpit, which features curved screens showing aerial footage of the ground, and experience how it feels to take off and fly through the skies of Yorkshire.
The vehicles also contain interactive iPads for an immersive user experience and a seating area where supporters can chat with YAA staff and volunteers. Large screens and plush sofa areas provide an ideal spot for immersive presentations which will be hosted by the fundraising team.
Throughout the day, the screens will play interviews with the life-saving crew, answering frequently asked questions and revealing interesting facts about their roles and their experiences on duty.
The roadshow, which is free to attend, will see the team visit Junction 32 shopping outlet in Castleford, Morrisons in Ripon, Broadway shopping centre in Bradford, Market Square in Northallerton, Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield, Sewell on the Go Chanterlands in Hull, Lakeside shopping centre in Doncaster, Pinderfields Hospital and lastly the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield.
Regional Fundraising Manager, Vickie Bowden, said, ‘We are incredibly excited to be hitting the streets of Yorkshire as part of our annual Yellow Yorkshire campaign. The fundraising team are revved up and ready to go. We cannot wait to meet everyone and share our passion for the life-saving work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. We are so grateful for the ongoing support of our local communities, and we look forward to making a real difference in the lives of those who rely on our services’.
Peter Sunderland, the well-known and long-standing Chairman of Yorkshire Air Ambulance has announced he is to retire after 19 years with the life-saving charity.
Peter who is from Huddersfield, will officially retire as Chairman and Trustee at the end of June. He joined the YAA in 2004 after retiring from his role at the RMC Group PLC, where he worked for over 27 years as one of their UK Directors, bringing with him a wealth of experience in senior management, monitoring & delivering of business targets, workshops, strategic development, financial & budgetary control, and project implementation. He became Chairman in 2006 and has since led the transformation of the Charity into the successful organisation it is today.
Peter commented: “I have been a Trustee of Yorkshire Air Ambulance for 19 years now and Chairman for 17 of those years, however, I feel now is the right time to step down from my role with the Charity. Therefore, I will be retiring as both Chairman and Trustee at the end of June.
When I first joined the YAA in 2004 it was a very different organisation from the one that it is today. We had one leased Bolkow helicopter that operated from a Portakabin at Leeds Bradford airport. The administration was carried out from a small office in Dean Clough Mills in Halifax. Income from donations was very small and hardly covered our costs. A different situation from the very robust and stable position that the Charity finds itself in today, and I am so very proud of how the YAA has evolved over the years. It has truly been a team effort.”
Peter has led on the implementation of many important milestones over the years including purchasing helicopters, developing the two air bases at Nostell and Topcliffe, and gaining the Charity’s own Air Operators Certificate – the first of its kind at the time.
Abby Barmby, Director of Marketing & Communications added “Peter has truly been the pillar of YAA for nearly twenty years now and will be greatly missed by us all. His caring, yet professional leadership combined with extensive business experience proved invaluable in driving a clear vision, purpose, and strategy for the charity over the last nearly twenty years. He introduced and implemented a robust financial accounting foundation which has been built on over the years, resulting in the charity being in the strong position it is today. He really has made YAA the respected organisation it is, not just as our Chairman but as a true Ambassador too -a legacy we will all carry forward.
On behalf of everyone at YAA we’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to both Peter and his wife Margaret who has been a wonderful support to him over the years. We are indebted to them for all they have done for the charity during Peter’s tenure as Chairman.”
When Peter stands down at the end of June, current Vice-Chairman Mike Harrop will step into the role of Chairman from the beginning of July.
Mike brings a wealth of experience from his 30-year career in the RAF including being the Station Commander at RAF Scampton, the home of the Red Arrows. He also has an extensive and in-depth knowledge of YAA after initially joining as a volunteer back in 2017, before joining the Board in 2019, and taking on the role of Vice-Chairman in 2022.
Peter added, “I am delighted to be handing the Chairmanship of YAA over to Mike who I know will take YAA forward and build on what we’ve already established with a great team to support him.”
As well as his work with YAA, Peter has also been a member of the Wakefield Cathedral Council and is a past President and Subscribers Secretary of Huddersfield Choral Society. In 2007 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire and was awarded an MBE by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 2016 for ‘Voluntary service to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the community in West Yorkshire’.
For further information about YAA, please visit www.yaa.org.uk.
Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA), has announced the arrival of its brand new, H145 D3 Helicopter. The Helicopter is the first of its kind to come directly off the production line in Germany and into the UK.
The new model has a whole host of technologically advanced features that will make the service more efficient. Most noticeably, a five-bladed ridged main rotor, making the system simpler, lighter, and easier to maintain than the previous rotor. The five-bladed rotor system will also help to significantly reduce vibrations, which will considerably improve ride quality for both patients and the crew.
In addition, the new aircraft has an integrated camera system which allows the pilot to see behind and below the aircraft, making take-offs and landings safer. With the addition of the cameras, crew will now be able to load patients into the Helicopter with the rotors still turning, allowing for a quicker and more efficient process for incidents where time is critical.
On-board Wi-Fi will also allow patient records to be updated in flight, and a cutting-edge secure communications system will also allow the crew to send patient data ahead to their destination hospital, allowing Doctors and Nurses at their destination hospital to start evaluating and assessing the patient before they arrive.
In the cabin, the YAA doctors and paramedics are most excited about the new wheeled stretcher system that will make loading and unloading patients into the aircraft a much easier process, with the stretcher taking most of the weight of the patient, opposed to the manual lifting the crew are currently used to.
Acting HEMS Clinical Operations Manager Paul Holmes with new YAA Helicopter G-YAAA
The two current YAA helicopters, G-YAAC and G-YOAA, which came into service in 2016 will be phased out within the next 12 months, with the first of the new Helicopters, G-YAAA, starting active duty at the end of March, and a second new Helicopter, G-YORX, joining the service shortly after in early summer 2023.
Steve Waudby, Director of Aviation explains: ‘It is very exciting news for us to announce the arrival of our new H145 D3 Helicopter. The big difference you’ll notice is that this new helicopter has five rotor blades, which means it’s a lot smoother. It’s also slightly lighter, because the anti-vibration equipment has been removed, which means we can carry another half an hour’s worth of aviation fuel,allowing us to stay airborne and go to a lot more jobs before we must return to base to refuel’.
As an independent charity, Yorkshire Air Ambulance relies on the generosity of the public and their fundraising efforts to continue its lifesaving work. It currently costs £19,000 per day to maintain and operate the YAA’s two Airbus H145 Helicopters, based at Nostell Priory in Wakefield and RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk.
Steve continues ‘On behalf of everyone at YAA, we thank the good people of Yorkshire who have provided us with the vital funds to be able to purchase our new Helicopters, without which, it would not have been possible. Our aim has always been to provide the best possible air ambulance service, and by upgrading our helicopters we can continue to ensure we are futureproofing and modernising our operations and service delivery’.
Senior HEMS Paramedic, Sammy Wills, who has over 30 years of experience in emergency response medicine, 20 of which have been with the air ambulance, said, ‘The arrival of the new Helicopter has been the talk of the base for some time now and now it’s here, all shiny and new, we just can’t wait to start flying in it.
New YAA helicopter G-YAAA
For me, as a paramedic, the first thing that stands out about the new aircraft is the new stretcher. The stretcher keeps us self-sufficient. We no longer have to wait on the Helipad at major trauma Hospitals for a trolly to be brought to us, the new system allows us to just wheel our patients directly into the emergency department, getting the patient the treatment, they need, that much quicker’.
Over 8,500 people across Yorkshire have received lifesaving care by the quick action of Yorkshire Air Ambulance service over the past 23 years. For further information or to donate today, please visit www.yaa.org.uk.
A leading member of North Yorkshire’s emergency services who has spent more than 25 years attending incidents, was himself airlifted to hospital after a serious cycling accident.
And Ben Cairns is so grateful to Yorkshire Air Ambulance that he is getting back on his bike this summer to take on an epic Italian cycling challenge to raise funds for the rapid response emergency charity.
Ben was on a normal Sunday morning bike ride with his village cycling group near Masham, North Yorkshire, when the bike’s wheels suddenly went from under him. The 44-year-old hit the road hard and knew straight away he had suffered a serious injury.
“I think I hit some diesel and landed really hard on my left side before sliding down the road,” said Ben, Group Manager Transformation at North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue. “My chest was really sore but I couldn’t move and really thought I’d broken my pelvis.”
In a stroke of good luck, Ben had come off his bike outside the house of an accident and emergency consultant who came out to help before the air ambulance arrived.
The father-of-two from Bishop Monkton was airlifted to the nearest major trauma centre at James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough – a journey that would have taken nearly an hour by road.
Surgeons pinned and plated a complex hip fracture. Ben was in hospital for a week and unable to weight bear for two months before starting his rehabilitation.
In June he, and five other members of the Bishop Monkton cycling club, will attempt to ride across Italy in a day – starting at sunset on the Adriatic coast with the challenge of completing more than 275km and 3,300m of ascent to reach Tirrenia, near Pisa, before sunset.
“I’ve done a couple of these Chase The Sun challenges before but, as two out of the six of us in the group have needed Yorkshire Air Ambulance, we really want to raise as much as possible to say thank you.
“I have worked with YAA for many years in my career at all kinds of incidents and it’s so very reassuring to know that when you are in that hour of need the air ambulance is there to help.”
To sponsor Ben go to http://bit.ly/3Jb3gEc. His dramatic accident also features in this week’s episode of Helicopter ER, the reality TV series which follows the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Serving a population of approximately five million people across Yorkshire’s three million acres, the charity operates two air ambulances from airbases at The Nostell Priory Estate near Wakefield and RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk plus two Rapid Response Vehicles.
