Fundraising

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 22^nd 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’.

To support the life-saving work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and learn more about how to get involved with the Yellow Yorkshire campaign, please visit www.yaa.org.uk.

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’.

Read more YAA news here.

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.

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.

Read More YAA News

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.’

Read More YAA News

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. 

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.

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.