Yorkshire Air Ambulance volunteers have been celebrated for their remarkable dedication and commitment at a special Long Service Awards ceremony held recently at the charity’s Nostell Air Base in Wakefield.
The event recognised the invaluable contributions of volunteers, totalling 471 years of collective service among the 110 dedicated individuals, who have unwaveringly supported the charity’s life-saving mission across the region.
Long service awards were presented to volunteers who have been with the emergency services charity for 5, 10, 15 years. With thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation for Calderdale in conjunction with the Pennine Riding Club, 110 pin badge awards were issued to volunteers alongside other volunteering equipment costing £5,000.
With 165 active volunteers, each one plays an indispensable role in enabling Yorkshire Air Ambulance to have a presence within local communities, helping to spread awareness of the charities vital mission. Last year, volunteers attended over 728 stalls, delivered 72 informative and interactive talks with people and groups of all ages, hosted over 75 bucket collections and emptied over 1500 collection tins, in addition to providing essential support with key projects and events throughout the year.
Attendees on the day enjoyed light refreshments and cake, which were kindly donated by Premier Foods who have chosen YAA as their Charity of the Year, along with the opportunity to mingle with fellow volunteers and staff from across the charity. YAA Chairman Mike Harrop delivered a heartfelt speech, expressing gratitude to each volunteer and personally presenting them with a pin badge as a token of appreciation for their service.
Commending the volunteers for their selflessness, Mike acknowledged, “Your support is the cornerstone of the service we provide. Your commitment has not only helped us to save lives but has also significantly contributed to ensuring our service can continue in the future, to help those in need when they need us most. These awards highlight your incredible achievements and the profound impact you’ve made. Your dedication, commitment, and drive exemplify the spirit of volunteerism, and for that, we are immensely grateful for your support.”
Mike estimated that the collective efforts of the volunteers have saved the charity over £10 million in salary costs and man-hours over the years.
He continued, “Our volunteers come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from retirees generously offering their spare time to former patients eager to give back to the service that aided them in their time of need. People volunteer for various reasons, whether for career development, personal fulfilment, or the desire to assist others. All our volunteers share a common commitment: the unwavering resolve to make a positive difference in the lives of others, when it matters most.“
Steve Duncan, CEO of The Community Foundation for Calderdale explained, “Volunteers are the lifeblood of the not-for-profit sector, their selfless dedication makes a huge difference in our communities. These remarkable individuals devote their time and energy without want for reward or recognition, so it is with great pride that we are glad to be able to fund initiatives to pay tribute and say thank you to volunteers and make sure they receive the gratitude they deserve.”
Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is an independent life-saving rapid response charity serving 5 million people across 3 million acres of Yorkshire and receives no government funding, relying solely on its supporters to keep its fleet of helicopters in the skies and saving lives.
If anyone is interested in volunteering for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, please fill in our online Volunteer Application Form and the charity will be in touch.
