Angela Brearley

North Yorkshire cyclist lucky to be alive after suffering heart attack on ride

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North Yorkshire cyclist lucky to be alive after suffering heart attack on ride

A cyclist who suffered a major heart attack on a Sunday afternoon ride owes his life to the quick response of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Stephen Curran began feeling unwell on his usual 25-mile bike ride from his home in Hillam, North Yorkshire. A dull ache in his shoulder became a crippling chest pain as the 62-year-old psychiatrist realised his life was at risk.

“Up to this point I’d had no heart problems and was very active so I didn’t initially have any suspicion that this was a heart attack,” said Stephen.

“But then the tightness in my chest became a crushing pain and I started to feel short of breath and a bit confused so I rang 999. As I was lying on the ground I remember thinking there was a really good chance that I might die.”

Luckily for Stephen a rapid response vehicle was nearby and Yorkshire Air Ambulance was dispatched and at the scene in minutes. The main artery to his heart was completely blocked and medics realised he needed time-critical surgery.

The father-of-four was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary where just 45 minutes after calling 999 he was having a life-saving stent fitted.

Head and shoulders images of Stephen Curran. He is wearing a burgundy jumper with a shirt collar visible. He has short fair coloured hair and is wearing glasses. He is sitting in front of a cream coloured wall and there is a vase in the background containing white or cream tulip flowers.

His dramatic story features in this week’s episode of Helicopter ER, the reality TV series which follows the work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Stephen added: “Getting to hospital so quickly literally saved my life. My cardiologist said if I had made the journey by road I probably would not have made it.

“The paramedics were so open, honest and reassuring and I’ve had such amazing care by everyone involved. I can’t thank them enough.”

After the surgery and spending three days in hospital last May, Stephen has made a good recovery and is back at work and enjoying an active lifestyle, walking and on his exercise bike each day.

Friday’s episode of Helicopter ER, made by Air TV for Warner Brothers Discovery, airs on Quest at 9 pm. It also features a man who sliced through his ankle with a chainsaw in a DIY accident and a woman who was kicked in the face and head after being thrown from her horse.

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.

The rapid response air emergency service relies totally on public donations and fundraising to keep saving lives.

 

Doncaster cyclist lucky to be alive after rush hour accident

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A cyclist crossing a busy rush hour road in Doncaster suffered life-threatening head injuries after being hit by a car.

Andrew Stewart had to be placed in a medically induced coma on the roadside by a critical care Consultant doctor flying with Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The dramatic efforts to save his life feature in this week’s episode of Helicopter ER, the reality TV series which follows the work of the rapid response emergency service.

Andrew was cycling home from his job as a petrol station manager when the accident happened in November 2021. He was crossing Bawtry Road, a two-direction dual carriageway, when he was struck by a car.

“I was told I’d crossed the first side and was just setting off across the second two lanes when I was hit but I don’t remember the accident at all or really anything of the month leading up to it,” said 31-year-old Andrew from Doncaster.

In 2021, 111 cyclists were killed in Great Britain and a further 4,353 were seriously injured. Andrew suffered a fractured skull and a serious bleed on the brain, as well as a badly broken leg.

Bleeding from a very deep head injury and dangerously unresponsive when Yorkshire Air Ambulance paramedics landed at the scene, Andrew was anaesthetised and put into a coma at the roadside before being taken to the major trauma centre at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital.

Medical staff are treating a man who is lying on a stretcher. They are in a road and an ambulance is visible in the background.

He was in a coma for three weeks and spent a further two weeks in hospital before continuing his slow recovery at home. Although back at work, Andrew’s leg injury means he has had to give up running and he is suffering ongoing effects from the head injury.

“I used to love fitness, especially running, but that’s not something I can do anymore as I have pins and a metal plate in my leg,” said Andrew. “Since the head injury, I do have more mood swings and get annoyed more easily, which is something my family and partner have definitely noticed.

“But we are all so grateful to Yorkshire Air Ambulance and all the doctors, paramedics, and nurses. Without them, I would not be here today.”

Andrew’s dramatic story features in Friday’s episode of Helicopter ER, made by Air TV for Warner Brothers Discovery.

The programme, which airs on Quest at 9 pm, also features a young motocross rider who suffered serious injuries after being flung against a tree on a woodland trail and a nurse who needed Yorkshire Air Ambulance herself after being thrown from a horse.

Serving a population of approximately five million people across Yorkshire’s four 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.

The rapid response air emergency service relies totally on public donations and fundraising to keep saving lives. To find out more go to www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk

Photo caption: Andrew Stewart being treated at the scene of his accident and recovering at his Doncaster home.

Longstanding YAA supporters, I’Anson Brothers Ltd, donate £700 to continue funding lifesaving work

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Masham-based business, I’Anson Brothers have donated £700 to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance following an environmentally friendly tyre recycling programme.

I’Anson Brothers Ltd is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of animal feed based in Masham, North Yorkshire. They are a family-run business, and have been serving farmers nationwide since 1900.

I’Ansons are established corporate sponsors of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, who have donated over £100,000 to the charity since the start of their partnership in 2016.

The donation follows an environmentally friendly scheme, in which I’Anson Brothers sell their fleet’s tyres to local farmers when they are reaching the end of their roadworthiness. The tyres then go on to be repurposed and fitted to low-mileage farming equipment, keeping the tyres out of landfills.

North Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser, Tessa Klemz, who collected the donation said, ‘The support we receive from local businesses is the essence of our charity and we would like to take this opportunity to thank I’Ansons for their continuous support and continued generosity’.

Read more Yorkshire Air Ambulance news here.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance Attains Volunteering Quality Mark for Second Time

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The rapid response emergency service charity, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, has been awarded the ‘People Can’ Volunteering Quality Standard award for its excellent volunteer management.

The award, which lasts three years, was first presented to the charity in 2019 and has been awarded again in 2023, showcasing best practice and recognising the ‘high quality, positive volunteering experience’ received by Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s team of volunteers.

As an independent charity, Yorkshire Air Ambulance relies on volunteers 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.

Regional Fundraising Manager at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Vickie Bowden, said, ‘We are absolutely delighted to have received the ‘People Can’ quality mark. Our volunteers do such a brilliant job for us and go above and beyond in their roles to promote the charity, raising both money and awareness for our cause. Therefore, it is crucial to us that in return our volunteers feel supported and recognised for their work’.

Chris Bulmer, Volunteering Development Officer at Community Action Bradford, said, ‘Yorkshire Air Ambulance has demonstrated an excellent range of resources supporting their recruitment and management of volunteers, who are so vital to what they do’.

‘Their recruitment process is welcoming and supportive to prospective volunteers including multi-format application processes, online, on paper and in person, followed by a well-structured induction and training plan for all new volunteers.

The evidence gathered exceeded our assessment criteria, which is a credit to the way the organisation values and manages its volunteers. There is a clear recognition of the value of volunteers within the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity and their importance in day-to-day operations’.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance is now appealing for more volunteers to help support the charity and raise awareness about its life-saving work out in local communities. The charity is looking for individuals, couples or small groups of friends to join their friendly team of volunteers across Yorkshire.

To find out more about volunteering for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, visit our Volunteering page.

Berwins Solicitors Announce Yorkshire Air Ambulance as Latest Charity Partnership

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Yorkshire-based Law firm, Berwins Solicitors, with offices based in Harrogate, Leeds, York, and Sheffield has pledged to support Yorkshire Air Ambulance throughout 2023 with a series of fundraising challenges.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a lifesaving rapid response charity, serving over five and a half million adults and children and spanning over three million acres of Yorkshire.

It currently costs £19,000 a day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and operational in the air. As an independent charity, Yorkshire Air Ambulance relies on the generosity of individuals and organisations to operate and help save lives across Yorkshire.

Commenting on the announcement, chair of Berwins Solicitors CSR committee, Martin Whincup said, ‘We’re excited to announce the start of a new relationship with a truly inspirational charity partner.’

‘Berwins has a long and proud tradition of supporting both our local community and good causes and I’m proud to see that continuing into 2023. Teams and individuals are already gearing up for a range of fundraising challenges and events which will all benefit Yorkshire Air Ambulance in its vital work.’

Regional Fundraising Manager at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Lin Stead, said, ‘We’re excited to be working with Berwins in 2023 and, having heard about some of their ambitious fundraising plans, are looking forward to seeing them come to fruition.’

Yorkshire Building Society donation helps air ambulance to continue carrying blood

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Yorkshire Building Society has continued its longstanding support of the region’s air ambulance service with a donation to support the carrying of inflight blood supplies.

The YBS Charitable Foundation has donated £2,000 towards the cost of three specially designed, thermostatically controlled boxes for the safe transport and storage of the blood on board Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s two helicopters.

The life-saving emergency service has been carrying blood since 2017 allowing the specially trained, YAA medical teams to start the transfusion process at the scene of an incident instead of waiting until the patient gets to hospital.

The Credo Cube cool storage boxes are specially insulated to maintain the blood within a narrow temperature range of 2- 60C for up to 72 hours to prevent damage or spoilage.

Eighteen storage boxes are constantly in circulation across both Yorkshire Air Ambulance airbases, and the YBS grant has enabled the charity to buy three replacement boxes to ensure efficient turn-around and continuity of services.

Marianne Haworth, Grants and Trusts Manager at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to the Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation for their very generous grant of £2,000 towards our blood transportation boxes which ensure blood is immediately ready for critically ill patients in situations where every minute counts.”

Serving a population of approximately five million people across Yorkshire’s four million acres, YAA operates two air ambulances from airbases at The Nostell Priory Estate near Wakefield and RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk, plus two Rapid Response Vehicles.

The service needs to raise £19,000 every day to keep its two helicopters flying.

YBS is a longstanding supporter of Yorkshire Air Ambulance having donated more than £2 million to the life-saving charity since 2008.

The latest donation from the Society’s Charitable Foundation was made after a nomination from Compliance Associate Kath Crank, who said: “We are so proud to support Yorkshire Air Ambulance with a donation from Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation. The work they do, providing rapid response emergency services, delivers an essential service to the region.”

Photo: Representatives from Yorkshire Building Society’s Charitable Foundation present a cheque to YAA Grants Manager, Marianne Howarth, and YAA Community Fundraiser Angela Vyas. 

Doncaster gym team help save the life of grandfather after heart attack

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The dramatic efforts of Club Doncaster Foundation gym staff and users to save the life of a grandfather is featured in the next episode of Helicopter ER – the reality TV series featuring the work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

When the 69-year-old suffered a massive heart attack during a Fit Rovers session at the Eco-Power Stadium, gym staff, and bystanders used a defibrillator and performed CPR for more than 10 minutes before emergency services arrived.

Their actions saved the life of the critically ill man who was placed in a medically induced coma at the scene by a Yorkshire Air Ambulance doctor before being rushed to hospital where he was fitted with a pacemaker.

Club Doncaster Foundation members have since raised money to buy a fourth defibrillator which can be used when visiting the charity’s community venues.

Foundation CEO John Davis said: “I was there and was incredibly proud of the way the team responded and dealt with what was a very dramatic event afterwards.

“I’d also like to thank the quick response and professional work of the emergency services, including Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which meant our Fit Rovers user got the vital care he needed on the scene.

“It really brought home the value of CPR training and having accessible, life-saving equipment. We were delighted that as a result of what happened the Foundation raised enough funds to buy another mobile defibrillator which our teams are now using in community venues across Doncaster.

The dramatic story features in Friday’s episode of Helicopter ER, made by Air TV for Warner Brothers Discovery, which follows the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).

The programme, which airs on Quest at 9 pm, also features a man who was struck on the head by a falling tree, a pensioner who fell off a ladder, and a cyclist who came off his bike at speed.

Photo: Emergency services work to save the life of a pensioner who suffered a massive heart attack during a gym session at the Eco-Popwer Stadium, Doncaster.

Read more news from Yorkshire Air Ambulance HERE.

Cyclist avoids losing his foot thanks to swift arrival of Yorkshire Air Ambulance

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The story of a relaxing bike ride gone wrong will be featured in the next episode of Helicopter ER – the reality TV series featuring the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Cameron Durdy, 24, was cycling home from his busy job as a chef when he hit a cattle grid, catapulting him 15 feet over the side of a bridge and leading him to break both bones in his leg after landing on a rocky stream bed.

The injury was serious, with bones piercing his skin and the possibility of losing his foot if medics didn’t act quickly.

With no service on his phone and landing in a remote location in Swaledale, Cameron was forced to shout at the top of his lungs for almost half an hour before passers-by heard him and called an ambulance.

Cameron said: “The feeling of the fall was very strange – It was almost like suddenly waking up. I wasn’t aware of how much pain I was in at that exact moment, or how serious my injury was, but I knew that something enormous had happened to me. It was the biggest impact I had ever experienced, and I knew I needed to get help as quickly as possible.”

He was tended to by the local mountain rescue team until medics from Yorkshire Air Ambulance arrived on the scene, where his leg was straightened and put back into alignment.

He was then airlifted 34 miles to the Major Trauma Centre at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesborough – a journey that would have taken over an hour by road but took just 20 minutes by air.

During the helicopter flight, the painkillers kicked in and the medics were serenaded by Cameron throughout the journey.

He is now back on his feet after undergoing gruelling surgery and a long recovery period, which he spent focusing on his music – particularly playing the bassoon and the bass.

Incredibly grateful for the help he received from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team, Cameron said:

“They were amazing and without them, I’m not even sure I’d be able to walk now – I’m so grateful. They really looked after me and made me feel so safe. They explained everything very thoroughly and I knew even if it was uncomfortable, it would be alright. And they put up with my singing in the helicopter for 20 minutes, which is very commendable!

“They did a spectacular job, and it shows how important it is to keep supporting and donating to Yorkshire Air Ambulance to keep it running and helping people like me, who wouldn’t be where they are without this life-saving service. There isn’t a way to describe how lucky I feel and how thankful I am.”

His story features in Friday’s Helicopter ER – the first episode in the ninth series of the award-winning programme which is made by Air TV for Warner Brothers Discovery.

The episode, which airs on Friday 3rd February 2023 at 9 pm on Quest, also features a couple whose car rolled eight times after being involved in a crash on a busy motorway, and a woman who suffered an ankle fracture after a dog walking misadventure.

Quest is available on Freeview 12, Sky 144, Virgin 169, and Freesat 172.

Read more news from Yorkshire Air Ambulance HERE.

Bracken Ghyll Golf Club raises £12,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance

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Bracken Ghyll golf club in Addingham, West Yorkshire, have raised over £12,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance

The Club chose the rapid response emergency service as their charity of the year following a member’s cardiac arrest on the course.

Nigel Boot had almost finished his round on April 21st  this year when he suffered a heart attack at the 18th tee. His playing partner immediately phoned 999 and two members, plus the Club Pro, administered CPR and used the Club’s defibrillator.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance dispatched their Critical Care Team who managed to land on course and restarted Nigel’s heart. He was taken to Airedale hospital by land ambulance where he was fitted with an implanted defibrillator (ICD).

“The air ambulance landed on the golf course and to this day, I still can’t believe how they managed to land in the area. Fortunately, they managed to get me going again. I wouldn’t be here without everyone’s help that day,” said Nigel.

Bracken Ghyll Golf Club have held a range of events throughout the year for Yorkshire Air Ambulance including a 72-hole challenge and a community event and have now reached their fundraising target of £12,000.

Helen Berriman, West Yorkshire Fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We would like to thank Bracken Ghyll Golf Cub for choosing us as their charity of the year.

“We were glad to be able to help one of their members recently in their time of need and the money raised will help greatly towards keeping our two helicopters flying and saving more lives across the region.”

Photo: Bracken Ghyll Golf Club Seniors Vice Captain Will Stoker, Lady Captain Liz White, Member Pat Murray, Ladies Vice Captain Janice Garlick, Member Judy Banks, President Ian Disley, and Yorkshire Air Ambulance West Yorkshire Fundraiser Helen Berriman.

Read more YAA news HERE.

Biker thankful to YAA after dramatic crash near England’s highest pub

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Experienced biker Robin Brown was riding with a friend towards the Tan Hill Inn, Swaledale, in poor visibility last January when he hit a gulley and was catapulted off his bike.

A passing car stopped and took the 62-year-old lorry driver to the Tan Hill Inn where the emergency services were called. Despite very poor flying conditions, Yorkshire Air Ambulance managed to reach the remote Dales spot 1,732 ft above sea level.

Robin was airlifted to the James Cook major trauma centre, Middlesbrough, in just 16 minutes – a journey that would have taken an hour and 20 minutes by road ambulance.

The father-of-two from Eastmoor, Wakefield, suffered a punctured lung and a broken ankle in the accident. Robin spent four months recovering from his injuries and is still having physiotherapy. But, he knows he is very lucky to have survived a high-speed crash in such a remote location. “We hadn’t done the route before and I just misread the road and hit the bank. I flew up and off the bike and was saved because I was wearing all the right equipment.

“I am also so very grateful to the air ambulance for getting to me in what were horrible conditions and then flying me to hospital so quickly. I can’t thank them enough.”

Photo of Robin Brown. The man is sat in a cream coloured arm chair or sofa and is wearing a brown polo shirt with a yellow logo on it.

Robin’s accident features in Tuesday’s episode of Helicopter ER, the award-winning Really channel programme that follows the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The programme, also features a teenager who suffered multiple injuries after a tyre blow-out at 70mph, a climber who fell 30ft from a rock face at Stanage Edge in the Peak District and a DIY job that went badly wrong.

Photo: Robin Brown who is lucky to be alive after a high-speed motorbike accident

Father who lost leg in forklift accident aims to fundraise for YAA

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A Humberside father of four who lost part of his leg in a fork-lift truck accident is planning to raise money for the air ambulance charity that helped to save his life.

Rob Smith’s life changed in an instant last April when he was pinned against a wall by a forklift truck while delivering chipboard to a company in Batley.

The corner of the rig went through the 37-year-old’s right knee, severing his leg. “I had managed to jump out the way but my leg was caught between the back of the forklift and the corner of the wall,” said Rob.

“When the truck pulled back and I looked down I knew it was bad. I was laid on the floor and put my head back and even though there was lots of noise around everything went quiet and black and all I could see like a little candlelight.

“That scared me and that was when I woke myself up and looking again I knew I had to do something to stop the bleeding. I was losing so much.”

Rob, who is first aid trained, did what he could to stem the blood flow himself and got horrified workers to get him a tourniquet before the emergency services arrived including Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The accident features on this week’s episode of Helicopter ER – the reality TV series featuring the work of rapid response emergency service.

Rob’s efforts and those of the medics saved his life but could not save his leg which was amputated just above the knee. After nine days in hospital and intensive occupational and physiotherapy, he has learned to walk with a mechanical leg.

He has returned to an office-based role as head of transport and health and safety for Yorkshire Plywood and is now planning to fundraise for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

“I know it is me who has experienced this but it really has hit my family big time and it’s not been until the last couple of months that I’ve realised just how much,” said Rob.

“I wanted to get back some kind of normality as soon as possible. It has been a challenge, and there’s still a long way to go but the main thing is I’m just so grateful to be here, that the kids still have their Dad.

“I can’t thank the air ambulance enough. You don’t realise just how much amazing work they do until you need them yourself and I would really like to do something to raise some money for them in the New Year.”

Photo: Rob Smith from Hessle whose leg was amputated after a forklift truck accident with two of his children Poppy and Ollie.

Read more news from YAA HERE.

Yorkshire Area Point to Point Club raise over £36,000 for YAA

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The Yorkshire Area Point to Point Club has raised over £36,000 during 2022 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

A cheque was presented at Wetherby Races and takes the total funds raised by the Club for the rapid response air emergency charity to around £180,000.

Christine Drury, Chair of the Sheriff Hutton Point to Point committee, has very personal reasons to be grateful to Yorkshire Air Ambulance after being airlifted three years ago following a serious riding accident.

She said: “Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an organisation very close to my heart. I was airlifted by them in 2019 after being kicked by a horse. I suffered a compound fracture to my leg and because the location was really difficult for other emergency services to reach, Yorkshire Air Ambulance was incredible in getting me the urgent help I needed.

“Rural communities like ours are reliant on services like this and when you see the helicopter flying down and you know there is help coming, it’s truly amazing.

“I’d like to thank the Point to Point Club committee, and all our supporters and sponsors, for again making the fundraising possible.”

Serving a population of approximately five million people across Yorkshire’s three million acres, YAA operates two air ambulances from airbases at The Nostell Priory Estate near Wakefield and RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk, plus two Rapid Response Vehicles.

The service needs to raise £19,000 every day to keep its two helicopters flying.

Lin Stead, Yorkshire Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager for North and East, said: “We are so grateful to Christine and everyone at the Yorkshire Point to Point Club who have raised such a fantastic amount for us once again this year.”

The next Point to Point event will be on January 15, 2023, and is usually one of the best supported in Yorkshire. Sheriff Hutton’s natural amphitheatre creates a great atmosphere enjoyed by racing supporters and families alike with top horses and jockeys from throughout the county.

Entry is £10 (cash only) per person with under 16s free with the first race starting at 11.45 am. There is a bar and refreshments available including a hog roast.

Photo: Left to right: Paul Drury, Sheriff Hutton Point to Point; Charlotte Russell, Chairman Yorkshire Area Point to Point; Kevin Hutchinson, Community Fundraiser Yorkshire Air Ambulance; Christine Drury, Sheriff Hutton Point to Point and Lin Stead, Regional Fundraising Manager YAA.