Rebecca Selkirk

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA), a leading charity providing life-saving emergency medical services, has proudly announced its official signing of the Armed Forces Covenant. This momentous step showcases Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community, recognising their invaluable contributions and sacrifices.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge to ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, as well as their families, are treated with the utmost respect and fairness. By signing this covenant, YAA aims to solidify its dedication to inclusivity, fostering a culture of gratitude and understanding.

The significance of this covenant resonates deeply with the charity, which is proud to have many military veterans as part of its team. These veterans bring a wealth of experience, resilience, and dedication that aligns perfectly with YAA’s core mission to save lives. Recognising the value of these individuals, YAA is committed to supporting their continued employment and career growth, actively considering their valuable military skills and qualifications during recruitment and selection processes.

Laura Wilson, HR Manager at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, states “As a charity deeply rooted in serving our communities, we are incredibly proud to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. This commitment reflects our unwavering support to the Armed Forces Community and highlights our determination to provide equal opportunities and care to those who have dedicated their lives to protect our country. By promoting the Covenant’s principles and implementing our pledges, we aim to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for veterans, Service spouses, Reserves, and cadets.“

As part of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s pledges, the charity will actively promote its Armed Forces-friendly status to stakeholders, raising awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant.

The YAA will also be committed to supporting veterans, recognising their valuable military skills. YAA also acknowledges the sacrifices of Service spouses and partners and offers employment support with flexible leave options.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance will continue to stand firmly behind its Reserve Forces employees, providing support during mobilisations and deployments. In addition, YAA will proudly support its employees volunteering in military cadet organisations and extends its support to local cadet units.

Moreover, YAA will actively participate in significant Armed Forces events, expressing gratitude for the brave men and women who serve our country.

Owen McTeggart, an Armed Forces veteran and Chief HEMS Pilot for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, stated, “As a former member of the Armed Forces and now a pilot at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant holds profound personal significance. It’s inspiring to witness the charity’s commitment to supporting veterans and acknowledging their unique skill sets. My military background has provided me with invaluable life experiences and qualities that I regularly apply in my role as a HEMS pilot, and I am very proud to be a part of a charity that values and embraces these attributes.“

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s dedication to the Armed Forces Covenant reinforces its position as a compassionate and inclusive charity, focused on saving lives and making a positive impact on all the communities it serves.

To read more YAA News, click here. 

Life-saving charity, Yorkshire Air Ambulance has recently been awarded a £19,000 donation from Sovereign Health Care, a leading not-for-profit health cash plan provider renowned for its strong commitment to supporting communities in Bradford and West Yorkshire.

The donation is part of Sovereign Health Care’s esteemed Community Programme, dedicated to empowering community-based health initiatives and positively impacting the lives of others. This significant contribution represents a day’s operational costs for the charity and will play a crucial role in supporting their life-saving missions.

Sovereign Health Care’s enduring partnership with Yorkshire Air Ambulance spans over two decades, with the organisation serving as a Principal Partner and steadfast supporter since their first donation in 2001. Over the years, their unwavering dedication has made Sovereign Health Care one of YAA’s longest-standing corporate supporters, with their total contributions exceeding an impressive £450,000.

A testament to their continued support, Sovereign Health Care’s logo has adorned the charity’s helicopters for over 18 years, serving as a symbol of their partnership and shared mission to make a difference in the community.

Commenting on the partnership, Russ Piper, Chief Executive at Sovereign Health Care, stated, “We are immensely proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Yorkshire Air Ambulance and to support their invaluable work in saving lives across the region. As we celebrate our 150th anniversary this year, this £19,000 donation exemplifies our ongoing commitment to community-based health initiatives. Our not-for-profit status empowers us to make a meaningful impact, and we are dedicated to giving back between 5% and 10% of our annual turnover to support projects that focus on health and wellbeing. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Yorkshire Air Ambulance and all the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to make a difference in the community“.

Marianne Haworth, Grants & Trusts Manager at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, expressed her profound gratitude for the ongoing support, stating, “We are extremely thankful to Sovereign Health Care for their continuous and unwavering dedication. This £19,000 donation is a testament to their commitment to our mission of saving lives across Yorkshire. Together with Sovereign, we remain resolute in reaching new heights and ensuring the well-being of our communities. Thank you for believing in our cause and standing with us on this vital journey“.

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Yorkshire Air Ambulance is excited to announce the launch of its annual Hike4Helis campaign, a thrilling active challenge that calls upon their supporters to embark on a journey spanning the distance between their two air bases – a total of 33 miles – or the round trip of 66 miles.

Now in its 3rd year, Hike4Helis aims to raise vital funds for the life-saving charity, ensuring the helicopters can continue their missions across Yorkshire.

Throughout the entire month of September, the YAA Crew challenges individuals, groups, and communities across Yorkshire to participate in the sponsored challenge. The distance of 33 miles between the Nostell and Topcliffe airbases can be completed at an average pace of 1.1 miles each day. For those seeking an additional challenge, the round trip of 66 miles can be accomplished at an average pace of 2.2 miles each day.

Participants are not only encouraged to accumulate their miles through traditional hiking, walking, and running, but also to embrace their creativity and choose from a variety of activities. Whether it’s cycling through scenic Yorkshire routes, swimming laps in a pool, or even engaging in adventurous pursuits such as paddleboarding or canoeing, participants have the freedom to select the mode that most resonates with them and to be inclusive to all.

Additionally, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team will be eagerly watching out for participants with the most unique costumes throughout the month, adding an element of fun and excitement to the challenge.

Upon completing the challenge, participants will receive an official YAA Hike4Helis certificate, recognising their achievement. The YAA encourages participants to share their progress and updates on social media platforms, using the hashtag #Hike4Helis, to inspire others and showcase the collective determination and commitment to the cause.

In addition to inviting supporters and communities to join the Hike4Helis challenge, the dedicated YAA Crew will lead by example, actively participating in the challenge by walking and running around the perimeters of the two YAA air bases. Furthermore, the enthusiasm has spread across various teams within the charity, as the head office and fundraising teams will be showcasing a unified commitment to the reaching their target miles and further amplifying the impact of Hike4Helis.

Sam Berridge, HEMS Paramedic said, “Being a part of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team has shown me firsthand the incredible impact our helicopters have on saving lives across the region. Hike4Helis is not only an exciting challenge but also a fantastic opportunity for our supporters of all abilities to come together and make a difference. Every challenge undertaken and every mile covered brings us closer to ensuring our vital service continues. I encourage everyone to join us on this incredible journey and help us raise crucial funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”

For more information about how you can get involved with Hike4Helis, or to download our Hike4helis guide, please visit click here.

Former Mayor of Harrogate, Victoria Oldham, supported by community fundraisers at Yorkshire Air Ambulance have successfully raised an outstanding £5287.46 through her dedicated efforts in organising bucket collections for the emergency response charity.

The collections took place at the prestigious Royal Hall and Convention Centre in Harrogate during busy show nights and large-scale events. The funds raised will provide vital support to the life-saving services offered by Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Victoria, who recently retired following the reorganisation of local government resulting in the transfer of power to the new, larger North Yorkshire Council, demonstrated immense commitment and community spirit during her time in office.

Recognising the importance of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s work, she harnessed the generosity of Harrogate residents and visitors alike, making a significant impact on the charity’s fundraising efforts.

Reflecting on the success of the bucket collections, the former Mayor expressed her gratitude to the people of Harrogate, saying, “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. The response from our community has been truly inspiring, and it is heart warming to witness such generosity towards Yorkshire Air Ambulance. I firmly believe in supporting charitable causes, and the incredible work the crew and fundraisers undertake is truly inspiring, they deserve all the credit they get! It has been an honour to support their work.”

Paula Lorimer, Harrogate Convention Centre Director, who helped arrange the bucket collections at 21 events over four months, said “It has been our pleasure to help organise the bucket collections at our Convention Centre, knowing how much good the money will do makes it all the more worthwhile. We’re thankful to former Mayor Victoria Oldham for leading this initiative and to the attendees of our events at the Royal Hall and Exhibition Centre for their remarkable generosity. Harrogate’s community spirit shines through in the success of these collections, making a positive impact on the lives of others.”

It currently costs £19,000 a day to keep 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.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance Regional Fundraiser, Tessa Klemz, expressed her sincerest appreciation for the remarkable amount raised. She said, “We are immensely grateful to Victoria Oldham, the venue organisers and of course the people of Harrogate for their incredible support. The money raised through the bucket collections will make a real difference in helping us continue to provide vital, life-saving services to those in need across Yorkshire. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Victoria for her outstanding efforts.”

Samantha Harrison, an intrepid adventurer and dedicated Director and Care Home Manager for Continued Care in Harrogate, has successfully completed an awe-inspiring climb of Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, to raise vital funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Samantha’s remarkable journey represents not only a hugely personal triumph, but the climb also serves as a testament to the unwavering support of her family, who joined her on the ambitious hike and helped raise over £2,320 to support this crucial charity.

The Kilimanjaro expedition was part of Continued Care’s charity of the year fundraising activities. Continued Care, a leading provider of care services in Harrogate, has forged a meaningful partnership with Yorkshire Air Ambulance, aiming to contribute to the ongoing efforts of the emergency response charity in providing vital emergency medical services to the local community.

Months of rigorous training and preparation were required for Samantha and her family to tackle the challenging expedition and reach the summit. Reflecting on her achievement, Samantha expressed, “Succeeding in reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro and raising £2,320 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance has been an incredible accomplishment and a once-in-a-lifetime ambition of mine. Throughout this journey, I have been inspired by the unwavering support of my family, friends, and colleagues at Continued Care. Together, we have made a positive impact on our community by contributing to the life-saving efforts of Yorkshire Air Ambulance. It is an honour to have been part of this incredible trip, and I hope that our efforts inspire others to pursue their dreams while supporting meaningful causes.“

Tessa Klemz, North Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, expressed her gratitude, saying, “On behalf of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Samantha for her tremendous efforts in conquering Kilimanjaro in support of our charity. The funds she has raised, alongside that of her coworkers at Continued Care, will make a significant difference in our ability to provide life-saving medical services to those in need across Yorkshire. We are incredibly grateful for Samantha’s passion and determination to make a positive impact on our community.”

To read more YAA News, click here.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the renowned emergency response charity, made waves on social media this week with a remarkable sight in the skies above Wakefield and York.

Traditionally operating two helicopters, Yorkshire Air Ambulance recently took delivery of their two new state-of-the-art H145 D3 helicopters G-YORX and G-YAAA.  They will replace current models G-YOAA and G-YAAC, which are currently in the process of being sold to an undisclosed buyer.  During a fleeting cross over period of the arrival of the new helicopters and departure of G-YOAA, which leaves Yorkshire first, a unique, but brief opportunity presented for the team of pilots to capture the rare occasion where all four were in Yorkshire.

Seizing the opportunity, the crew took the four helicopters on a brief flight, incorporating some training & familiarisation for the Pilots & Technical Crew Members (TCM’s), treating onlookers to a unique and rare display.

Chief Pilot Owen McTeggart, who was part of the formation, expressed his excitement about the opportunity, saying, “We have eagerly awaited the arrival of G-YORX, our second D3 helicopter, which will further improve our service in saving lives across Yorkshire.  We needed to take the new helicopters out for some brief training and familiarisation so we took the opportunity to capture what may be a one-time occurrence of having a cross-over of four YAA helicopters, before G-YOAA and G-YAAC leave for their new home. Witnessing the community’s overwhelming response and support, and the countless photos shared fills our team with pride and gratitude. We are truly humbled by the generosity and dedication shown by the people we serve.“

The new D3 helicopters boast a whole host of technologically advanced features, 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 also significantly reduces felt vibrations, improving ride quality for both patients and the crew.

The flight drew widespread attention from residents in Wakefield, Pontefract, York, and surrounding areas, who spotted the four helicopters flying in formation across, what were picture-perfect clear blue skies. Captivated by this awe-inspiring display, members of the community captured the moment and flooded Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Facebook post about the flight with over 3,000 likes, 400 comments, and 500 shares, emphasising the profound impact this had on those fortunate enough to witness it.

The overwhelming response serves as a testament to the deep-rooted appreciation for the life-saving services provided by the charity. One person commented ‘Awesome sight to see. I heard them before I saw them. Keep up the great work, Yorkshire Air Ambulance. We’d be lost without you guys’ whilst another remarked, ‘I saw them fly right over my house, it was quite a sight to behold. What a job these guys do…I for one cannot thank the team enough!’.

To read more YAA News click here. 

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s flagship high-street pop-up shop located in St Johns Shopping Centre, Leeds, has hit an impressive £50,000 in sales since opening its doors in January 2020. This impressive milestone is a testament to the generosity and support of the local community, whose donations and purchases help fund the charity’s life-saving missions.

In 2022, the shop raised an impressive £25,000 and has continued to make a significant contribution to the charity in 2023. Within the first three months of this year alone, the shop has raised a fantastic £11,500, with shoppers showing no signs of slowing down.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance pop-up shop has managed to attract regular supporters, demonstrating the community’s unwavering commitment to supporting this worthy cause.

Located on the ground floor, just by the escalators, the shop is open from 10 am to 3 pm every Wednesday and Friday, with alternating Saturdays, and sells a wide range of items donated by members of the public. These include official Yorkshire Air Ambulance merchandise, hand-knitted baby and children’s clothes, adult & children’s clothing, books, children’s toys, bric-a-brac, records, and DVDs, among other interesting items.

The shop is led by Community Fundraiser Clare Deacon, who has a team of dedicated volunteers helping her throughout the week. Clare said, ‘We’re thrilled to have reached this milestone and want to thank everyone who has donated, volunteered, or made a purchase from our shop – Every penny raised goes directly towards funding our life-saving missions, it’s a testament to the generous community spirit we have here in Yorkshire.

With such a diverse range of items available, our shop is a great place to find a bargain and support a good cause at the same time. So why not pop in and have a look around? You never know what treasures you might find!’.

Centre Manager, Jenny Murphy, said, ‘We are incredibly pleased to see the YAA pop-up shop at St. Johns Shopping Centre having so much success. The store is always so busy and the team of volunteers are just brilliant with their customers, so to hear of them reaching this impressive milestone is not a surprise. I wish them every continued success in their sales for the rest of this year’.