Angela Brearley

A motorcyclist from Bedale who sustained serious injuries after colliding with a tractor is set to appear on Helicopter ER.

Steven Caygill was an experienced motorcyclist and he had just saved up to purchase some new protective leathers.

On 6th May 2019 Steven set off for a bike ride when five miles down the road from his home, he collided with a tractor whilst doing 50mph.

“I was out for my first ride of the season. It was a nice morning on the bank holiday and I thought I would just go out for an hour to get used to the bike again after it had been put away for the winter”, said Steven.

He continued: “I set off out of Bedale towards Northallerton and a tractor, with a slurry tanker attached, pulled out of a crossroads in front of me. I tried to take evasive action and swerve to avoid it, but we ended up crashing into each other.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance responded to the incident and after assessing Steven, their Critical Care Team suspected a serious pelvic injury. He was flown to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesborough.

Tests revealed that Steven had broken three bones in his left hand, broken two teeth, fractured his ribs and smashed his pelvis. He was in hospital for nine days, had surgery to fix his pelvis and was left temporarily in a wheelchair.

Steven was left unable to work for six months and still endures daily pain. The incident has made him think twice about getting back on a motorbike.

“My wife and daughter came down to see me at the accident and my daughter said to my wife, she didn’t think she would see her dad again, so that will probably deter me from getting another bike”, said Steven.

Speaking of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, he said: “Everybody did a fantastic job and I cannot thank them enough.”

The episode, which airs at 10pm on Channel Really on 13^th July 2020 also features a child knocked down in Wakefield and a trawler incident in Bridlington.

Helicopter ER is made by York-based Air TV who have won five Royal Television Society awards for their work on the compelling series.  You can catch up on any missed episodes for free on D Play: https://www.dplay.co.uk/show/helicopter-er

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) serves 5million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,500 missions every year. The charity operates two, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters and needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep saving lives.

A mother from Dishforth, North Yorkshire, has praised the Yorkshire Air Ambulance for saving her seven year old son’s life after a serious cycling incident in May last year.

Seven year old Ronan had just come home from football with his friends and had decided to play on his bike. He grabbed his helmet and set off outside his house when he accidently rode into the path way of an oncoming vehicle. His mum ran out after hearing the impact.

Tina Eyles, Ronan’s mum, said: “I heard this loud bang and I knew instantly it was him. I rushed out and found him lying in a pool of blood. The poor driver of the vehicle was stood there in shock and I thought I had lost Ronan that day.”

Due to the severity of Ronan’s injuries and his remote location, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance were dispatched. After an assessment by their Critical Care Team, a decision was made to fly Ronan to Leeds General Infirmary, 20 miles away.

Tests at the hospital revealed that Ronan had a small bleed on the brain. He spent three nights in hospital and was told he wasn’t able to take part in any sport for six weeks whilst he recovered.

Ronan thankfully made a full recovery and he is now back on his bike, but watching more carefully for the traffic. His mum believes that it was his helmet that saved him from a more serious brain injury.

Speaking of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Tina said: “I just want to say from the bottom of my heart thank you so much, because they were so brilliant and I honestly think if it wasn’t for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the fact that he was wearing a helmet, he would have been in a different situation.”

The episode, which airs at 10pm on Channel Really on 6^th July 2020 also features a worker crushed in Halifax and a bike crash in the Yorkshire Dales.

Helicopter ER is made by York-based Air TV who have won five Royal Television Society awards for their work on the compelling series.  You can catch up on any missed episodes for free on D Play: https://www.dplay.co.uk/show/helicopter-er

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) serves 5million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,500 missions every year. The charity operates two, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters and needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep saving lives.

Over £100,000 has been raised by Ripon Cathedral’s inspiring ‘A Wing and a Prayer’ project – launched in May with the support of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The money raised will be used to offset the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on fundraising events and visitor donations – sources of income on which the cathedral and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance rely.

‘A Wing and a Prayer’ aims to create an installation of origami angels that fills the nave with prayers for those who have lost their lives to the coronavirus and those in the NHS and other front line services who are risking their own lives for the sake of others. The display will reflect how people from our community have come together during these uncertain times to support one another.

Since the launch of the project the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Ripon Cathedral Development Trust have received generous and continuing support and donations towards the vital work of the air ambulance and the ministry of the cathedral – for the benefit of people and communities across the region; in just under four weeks ‘A Wing and a Prayer’ has raised over £105,000.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson DL said: “We have been overwhelmed with the continuous generosity from our community and are excited to reveal our installation when our doors are open to the public.

“Our goal is to fill Ripon Cathedral with origami angels and prayers that offer a spectacular attraction for our community and tourists to visit and reflect upon”.

Helen Callear, Director of Fundraising (North and East) for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We would like to thank everyone for their support and generosity at this difficult time and thank Ripon Cathedral for choosing us as their charity partner.  We have been truly overwhelmed by the support the project has received so far, but would like to encourage as many people as possible to become part of such a poignant and moving project.

It costs £12,000 a day to keep both helicopters maintained and in the air and the money raised will help greatly towards the vital funding of our service.”

Donate an Angel here https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/12976

*An online form allows you to request a prayer, which will then be printed onto an origami paper angel. While the angels become part of the installation – the clergy of the cathedral will offer these prayers during services. Printable and downloadable angels allow you to keep your heroes in your hearts at home as well – spread appreciation for all keyworkers by decorating the angels and sharing them on social media and in the windows of your home.

Local life-saving Charity, The Yorkshire Air Ambulance have benefitted from an £8,000 grant from Lions Clubs to help with their fight against Covid-19.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance provides a life-saving rapid response emergency service 365 days a year to 5 million people across 4 million acres of Yorkshire.

Thanks to an emergency COVID-19 relief grant from the Lions Clubs International Foundation, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance are now able to purchase additional flight suits and a Perspex screen to protect their crew and patients during the pandemic.

Vice District Governor Dave Wilson, Lions Clubs of the North said “We know that air ambulance charities have been busier than ever during the coronavirus pandemic. They’ve faced considerable extra – unbudgeted – day to day costs – at the same time as lockdown has affected fund-raising.

Now, thanks to an emergency COVID-19 relief grant from the Lions Clubs International Foundation in the US, we can provide immediate support for this emergency service that touches lives in all our local communities.”

Helen Callear, Fundraising Director for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We would like to extend our thanks to the Lions Clubs for their generous grant of £8,000, which will not only help us continue saving patients’ lives across Yorkshire, but will also help protect our crew.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity needing to raise £12,000 per day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and in the air. The recent pandemic has had a drastic effect on funding for our charity and we are grateful for all the support we have received.”

ENDS

For more information please contact the Yorkshire Air Ambulance PR and Communications Officer Jessica McDonnell on j.mcdonnell@yaa.org.uk or 07384 517193

A cyclist from Southport who came within 1mm of severing his spinal cord after a freak incident at Gisburn Woods is set to appear on Helicopter ER next week.

Dale Newman was cycling with friends at Gisburn Forest, Lancashire when the tyres of his mountain bike skidded on the grass and he plunged into a ditch.

“I don’t remember how I lost control. My friend didn’t see the accident either as he was a good 30 seconds behind me, he just found me lying there”, said Dale.

Dale’s friend Andy attempted to call emergency services, but due to the remote area where Dale had his accident, there was no mobile phone signal. Andy walked Dale to a nearby barn where they found a group of cyclists, including an off duty midwife who looked after Dale whilst Andy went to find signal and guided the medics to their location.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance was dispatched and after assessing Dale’s serious injuries, they decided to fly him to the nearest major trauma centre at Preston Royal Infirmary.

Tests revealed that Dale had severely fractured his neck (he had split his C1 and C2 and crushed a number of his thoracic vertebrae’s, he had fractured his sternum, collar bone and also bruised his heart. He was 1mm away from severing his spinal cord, which would have left him paralysed.

Dale was in hospital for 11 days and his recovery has been a slow and painful process, but he’s now back at work and now almost fully recovered.

“I’m incredibly lucky that I’m going to make a full recovery, and I’ve taken a decision to use that drive and do everything I can in life now”, he said.

The episode, which airs at 9pm on Channel Really on 8th June 2020, also features a high speed crash that led to a long battle to release a badly injured young driver, and a patient repeatedly punched in the chest after his rare heart condition forces the crew to deliver a bizarre treatment.

Helicopter ER is made by York-based Air Television who have won five Royal Television Society awards for their work on the compelling series.  You can catch up on any missed episodes for free on D Play: https://www.dplay.co.uk/show/helicopter-er

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) serves 5million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,500 missions every year. The charity operates two, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters and needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep saving lives.

For more information, please contact the Yorkshire Air Ambulance PR and Communications Officer Jessica McDonnell on j.mcdonnell@yaa.org.uk  or 07384 517193

To celebrate Florence Nightingale’s 200^th birthday, staff at Leeds Bradford Airport set a challenge of completing 200 lengths of their runway to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Staff were invited to complete the challenge by running, walking or cycling 2.26km in a non-contact relay, which took place at their homes and surrounding neighborhoods, and for a select few, on the Leeds Bradford runway itself.

By the end of the week, the team completed 2,614km, equating to 1,162 lengths of the runway, and raised an impressive £5,000 for the life-saving charity. A further £5,000 was generously matched by the airport, bringing the total to £10,000.

Joanna Wild, Chief Commercial Officer for Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “Yorkshire Air Ambulance provides an amazing service to those most in need across the region year in, year out. Just like the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, we are committed to our local communities and region and wanted to show our appreciation for the vital work that they do – and what better tribute than on the birthday of one of the world’s best known ever health carers. We’re delighted to support their efforts and would like to thank everybody that donated and took part in the fundraising.”

Vickie Bowden, West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: We would like to thank staff at Leeds Bradford Airport for their support and generosity, the runway walk is such an innovative fundraising idea.

“Due to the current pandemic, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance has seen a downturn in fundraising events equating to over £420,000. It costs £12,000 a day to keep both of Yorkshire’s Air Ambulance’s maintained and in the air and the £10,000 raised will help greatly towards the vital funding of our service.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) serves 5 million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,500 missions every year. The charity operates two, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters and needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep saving lives.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance provides a life-saving rapid response emergency service 365 days a year to five million people across 4 million acres of Yorkshire and helping spread the word about the Charity is an army of dedicated volunteers.

To help celebrate National Volunteer Week, which commences on June 1^st, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance are shining the spotlight on just a few of the many volunteers which help keep the life-saving charity flying across the region.

Former YAA patient Geoff Cook, his wife, Amanda and their daughter A.J, live in Pollington, East Yorkshire and have been volunteering for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance since the summer of 2016.

“Having directly benefited from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity, I decided to volunteer after understanding and appreciating what they represent”, said Geoff.

In 2015, Geoff was involved in a serious motorcycle collision in Goole, where his bike was hit by an oncoming car.

“I didn’t think such an accident would ever happen to me since I am advanced trained and always rode a well maintained motorcycle. I was literally broken and twisted in a ditch, with a severe bleed and many horrific injuries”, said Geoff.

The Yorkshire air ambulance arrived on scene with their Critical Care Team and stabilised Geoff before he was then flown to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment. Thanks to the fast response of the charity, he has now made a full recovery.

Geoff began researching about volunteering for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance whilst recovering from his incident and joined the charity in 2016, helping out on stalls and attending charity events.

“At first, all I was thinking about was repaying the money back to the charity for their service, but the more I got involved in volunteering, the more I realised that it’s not just about money, it’s about awareness and spreading the word about the charity”, said Geoff.

Geoff’s wife Amanda also registered as a volunteer after attending a few events with her husband. The pair began dedicating more time to the charity, as well as turning their family camping trips into fundraising opportunities, their daughter also became involved making volunteering a family affair.

“You can do as little or as much volunteering as you like and it can be very flexible, which really helps when you have a family”, said Geoff.

Speaking of what volunteering for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance means to him, Geoff, said: “There seems to be a genuine admiration back to volunteers from the crew. They do all the work on the frontline, but they really appreciate everything the volunteers do

“The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is YOUR Air Ambulance.  It is there to help the people of Yorkshire in their hour of need.  It only exists because of the incredible generosity of the very people that it serves”, said Geoff.

To find out about volunteering opportunities for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, please click here.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance provides a life-saving rapid response emergency service 365 days a year to five million people across 4 million acres of Yorkshire and helping spread the word about the Charity is an army of dedicated volunteers.

To help celebrate National Volunteer Week, which commences on June 1^st, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) are shining the spotlight on just a few of the many volunteers which help keep the life-saving charity flying across the region.

Helen Murray Sharpe from Leeds has been volunteering for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance since 2014, and over the last six years, she has completed over 100 talks and raised more than £15,000 for the Charity – more than a day’s running costs for the YAA.

“As I was working in a charity supporting volunteers and giving awareness talks I thought it would be interesting to be on the other side and become a volunteer myself,   giving some talks about a service I felt was really important to support”, said Helen.

Helen was also an avid watcher of Helicopter Heroes, the original format of the reality TV show following the work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.  The show is now called Helicopter ER. “The information I heard about the YAA on Helicopter Heroes made me want to support the work of the air ambulance in my home county”, said Helen.

When asked what she enjoys the most about volunteering for the YAA, Helen said: “I enjoy going out to a wide variety of groups to give the talks and meet some lovely people who are always very interested and supportive of the charity. I get lots of interesting questions and enjoy being able to tell people about the work of the YAA. It’s also given me the chance to visit lots of different parts of West Yorkshire.”

Throughout the last six years, Helen has attended presentations held by a variety of organisations across Yorkshire. “I feel I learn something from each group I attend”, She said.

Speaking of her volunteering experience, Helen said: “The support from the staff has been great and I really feel appreciated for the small amount I do.”

To find out about Volunteering opportunities for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, please visit: https://www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk/news-patient-stories/news/volunteers-create-over-10000-paper-angels-during-lockdown-for-ripon-cathedral-charity-project/

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance provides a life-saving rapid response emergency service 365 days a year to five million people across 4 million acres of Yorkshire and helping spread the word about the Charity is an army of dedicated volunteers.

To help celebrate National Volunteer Week, which commences on June 1^st , the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) are shining the spotlight on just a few of the many volunteers which help keep the life-saving charity flying across the region.

Nichola Hawden has been volunteering for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance since 2018.  Her dad, Stephen Croft, was airlifted by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance after suffering a cardiac arrest pitch side at the Barnsley vs Burton Albion game in front of 11,000 at Barnsley’s ground on 22^nd September 2018.  The incident was very widely publicised at the time due to it happening just prior to kick-off, in front of a packed Oakwell Stadium.

“The YAA played a huge part in saving my dad’s life and his incident is still very much on people’s minds two years later.  When I say I’m Steve Croft’s daughter, people tell me how much they remember the incident and then we’ll have a conversation about it”, said Nichola.

Nichola’s first event as a Yorkshire Air Ambulance volunteer was the ‘999 on the Moor’ event in Sheffield, organised in association with the National Emergency Services Museum.

“It was such a lovely event, everyone who came to the stall were so nice and wanted to chat, and I really enjoyed that part. The staff and volunteers were all so lovely and friendly, and it felt like I had known them forever. I felt straight away that I was part of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance family. I was hooked from there”, she said.

Speaking about what she enjoys about being a YAA volunteer, Nichola said:” I am a working mum, I have two young kids and it gives me some ‘me time’, not a mum or a boss. It also gives me the opportunity to have new experiences and meet new people.”

Being a volunteer for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance has also helped Nichola with her professional development, improving her presentation skills.

“One thing I have never really enjoyed at work is doing was presentations, so I wanted to do something to help push me out of my comfort zone and I’ve now signed up to do speaker presentations for the YAA”, said Nichola

When asked why she decided to become a YAA volunteer, Nichola said: “There was a number of reasons. Giving back after my dad’s incident was our first goal and we wanted to raise £12,000 to keep the air ambulance flying for another day, which we managed to achieve with the support of the football community. But then, the more I got involved, the more it meant something to me personally to give back and help the YAA for all the great work they do.”

She continued: “The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a fantastic resource for the region, it can make the difference between life and death. The innovation and investment the charity makes, is absolutely amazing. We’re lucky to have the YAA in our region”, said Nichola.

To find out about volunteering opportunities for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, please click here.

Ripon Cathedral is proud to announce that it is working alongside Yorkshire Air Ambulance, by asking for the generous support of the country to keep all heroes in their hearts during this uncertain time, with its ‘Wing and a Prayer’ project.

Margaret Hammond, Development Manager at Ripon Cathedral said “We are delighted that the Yorkshire Air Ambulance have agreed to partner with Ripon Cathedral to offer a way of individuals praying for their heroes or remembering loved ones.  At the same time we look forward to raising funds to help keep the YAA flying at this difficult time and to support the work of Ripon Cathedral in the community”.

People are asked to donate ‘an angel’ to be placed inside the cathedral in honour of those who are sacrificing so much to keep the country safe.

An online form allows people to request a prayer, which will then be printed onto an origami paper angel.  The angels will then become part of an inspiring art installation in the nave of Ripon Cathedral. The clergy of the cathedral will also offer these prayers during services.

The aim is to fill the cathedral with angelic prayers to remember the amazing contributions from so many during the COVID-19 pandemic and those who have sadly been lost.

The printable and downloadable angels allow people to keep their heroes in their hearts at home, as well as in the prayers at the cathedral;  People can also help spread appreciation for all keyworkers by sharing the angels on social media, and in windows of their homes to show their creativity by decorating them however they wish.

Ripon Cathedral felt very strongly about working with Yorkshire Air Ambulance as many of the Charity’s crew are currently working on the frontline to help protect Yorkshire every day.

Helen Callear, Director of Fundraising (North and East) for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as the charity partner for the ‘A Wing and a Prayer Project’ at Ripon Cathedral. This is a project very close to our charity’s heart and with event cancellations and fundraising activities on hold, the YAA need all the support we can get to keep our helicopters in the air and saving lives across the region.”

By donating an angel in honour of our key workers or special person, you are supporting the vital work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the ministry of Ripon Cathedral for the benefit of people and communities across the region.

The moment a 14 year old from Halifax saved his 17 year old brother from a life-threatening bleed in a remote area of Ogden Water is set to appear on Helicopter ER next week.

On 12^th July 2019, Jake Walton and his brother Kian decided to go for an impromptu bike ride together at Ogden Water Country Park, north of Halifax, West Yorkshire.

“We had gone out on our bikes together, which is very rare for me and Kian because we don’t usually do that.  We decided to go to Ogden Water because I’d never taken Kian before and I thought it would be nice to see the Windmills”, said Jake.

As the brothers decided to head home, they both cycled down a steep hill and Jake lost control of his bike. He landed on his back and the handlebar penetrated his thigh.

“I just saw that he was going down the hill a bit too fast and then all of a sudden I saw a massive cloud of dust and Jake lying there on his back.  He shouted over to me to call for an ambulance”, said Kian.

“Blood was gushing through my fingers and I was drifting in and out of consciousness just doing my best to breathe for myself. Kian phoned the ambulance and a few members of the public came to help”, said Jake.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance was dispatched and Jake was assessed by their Critical Care Team. He was given an emergency blood transfusion on scene and was flown to Leeds General Infirmary for life-saving surgery.

“When I heard the helicopter arrive, it was just an unbelievable amount of relief and I felt like I finally had a chance of surviving”, said Jake.

Jake spent three and a half weeks in hospital and endured three operations, which included a large skin graft from the top of his right leg. He is now fully recovered, but still has to wear a compression sock to prevent future swelling.

Speaking of his brother’s heroism, Jake said: “I was very lucky to have Kian there, normally I’d have nobody with me. To have Kian there was a bit strange because I’m supposed to be a role model to him, but what he did was just unbelievable.”

He continued: “This accident is something I never expected to happen especially with my brother being there but it has definitely brought us closer together as brothers. I could never do enough to thank Kian.”

The episode, which airs at 9pm on Channel Really on 11^th May 2020, also features: a golfer who suffered a cardiac arrest, a free runner who fell from a three story building and a farmer who had a nasty horse riding accident.

Helicopter ER is made by York-based Air Television who have won five Royal Television Society awards for their work on the compelling series.  You can catch up on any missed episodes for free on D Play: https://www.dplay.co.uk/show/helicopter-er

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) serves 5million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,500 missions every year. The charity operates two, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters and needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep saving lives.

A local superhero named UMan has been bringing cheer to the streets of West Yorkshire during lock down and raising vital funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

UMan, created by Shaun Weatherhead, is known locally for his work in schools as part of the U Can Shine project. U Can Shine, which has helped inspire more than 75,000 children across the North of England, aims to improve confidence and self-belief amongst young people.

When Shaun’s daughter approached him and asked him if UMan could embark on a special mission to bring cheer to local children, Shaun donned his superhero outfit.

Nine year old Remi said: “I’ve been stuck inside due to the Coronavirus and it feels awful. I’m missing all my friends, teachers, cousins and I really need cheering up. I know there will be more children who don’t have any gardens to play in or brothers or sisters to play with who need cheering up too.”

Adhering to social distancing rules, UMan and his sidekick Remi, have been helping children and families celebrate birthdays and special occasions during the lockdown period by making guest appearances on people’s streets to help improve community wellbeing.

Shaun added: “It was Remi who initially suggested we could use UMan to help spread some cheer amongst children and families at this difficult time, and I thought it was a great idea.  We have been extremely careful to ensure that we adhere to social distancing rules when we’re out, but it’s been such a pleasure to bring a smile to all those little faces when we give them a wave!  It’s great to be able to bring a bit of positivity to the local communities as well as being able to support the great work of the YAA at the same time.”

The superhero has a strong growing fan base in the Calderdale and Kirklees region and has a calendar packed full of events with donations going towards the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Unable to work until the schools open, Shaun has been doing this voluntarily and in seven short days, the duo have already raised an impressive £598.00 of their £1,000 target.

Angela Vyas, Yorkshire Air Ambulance Community Fundraiser, said: “We cannot thank UMan enough for his enthusiasm, generosity and support towards the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the money raised will help greatly towards the vital funding of our service.

While we think this is an excellent way of raising vital funds for charity and it’s great to see UMan bringing some much needed cheer to the local community, we would like to encourage people to keep social distancing and abide by the current government rules.”

Please note: all the street walks are organised with local residents and all the public adhere to social distancing at all times. No one has contact with UMan.