Fundraising - Yorkshire Air Ambulance

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

11 November 20248 March 2023 by Angela Brearley

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.

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

11 November 20243 March 2023 by Angela Brearley

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.

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

22 May 20241 March 2023 by Angela Brearley

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’.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance Attains Volunteering Quality Mark for Second Time

22 May 202416 February 2023 by Angela Brearley

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

22 May 202415 February 2023 by Angela Brearley

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

22 May 202414 February 2023 by Angela Brearley

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.

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

22 May 20241 February 2023 by Angela Brearley

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.

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

22 May 202412 December 2022 by Angela Brearley

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.

Kent woman suffers multiple injuries in life-changing cow attack

11 November 202418 November 2022 by Angela Brearley

A Kent woman’s traumatic cow attack, in which she suffered life-changing injuries, will feature in the next episode of Helicopter ER – the reality TV series featuring the work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Stella Collins was on a five-day walking holiday in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales with her husband Geoff when she was charged and repeatedly trampled by a cow in an unprovoked attack.

“I was a little ahead of my husband who had stopped to take a photo,” said Stella. “We were about 35 metres away from this herd of cows when, without warning, this large ginger and white cow charged.

“It just came thundering towards me and I heard my husband say ‘Oh no’ and I thought I was going to die because of the anguish in his voice.

“I had no time to do anything other than turn my shoulder as the cow’s head hit me and I was thrown into the air. I was like a rag doll being tossed around and repeatedly trampled.

“We were so happy to be in such a beautiful place. It was like being in a part of heaven but then, in a blink of an eye, heaven turned into hell.”

Last year in the UK five people were killed in cow tramplings and dozens more were seriously injured. Stella suffered multiple injuries in the attack, including broken ribs, a blood clot and lesions to her lungs, leg and ankle injuries, whiplash, and major soft tissue damage.

Fourteen months later, she is still undergoing weekly rehabilitation and physiotherapy and is in constant pain.

The super-active 60-year-old regularly played tennis, badminton, table tennis, and stoolball. Since the attack Stella has tried to return to sports but, after aggravating her soft tissue injuries, has been advised against activity until after further diagnostic tests.

“It is really hard,” added Stella. “I still have all this pain doing just everyday activities and am just not the person I was. I have lost my confidence and still suffer flashbacks of the cow being over me, snorting as it trampled me again and again.

“But, I know how lucky I was and I am just so grateful for the actions of the emergency services and what they did for me, particularly the air ambulance. I can’t imagine what the journey to the hospital would have been like if I had to go by road from such a remote spot.”

Stell was airlifted to the hospital where she spent five days. Her story features in Tuesday’s episode of Helicopter ER, the award-winning Really channel programme which follows the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Serving a population of approximately five million people across Yorkshire, 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 (RRVs).

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

Find more YAA News HERE.

Life-saving drama on Sheffield golf course features in TV series Helicopter ER

11 November 202411 November 2022 by Angela Brearley

The life-saving heroics of a trio of Sheffield golfers will be featured in the next episode of Helicopter ER- the reality TV series featuring the work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

John Anderson, 65, had just started a round with three others at Hillsborough Golf Club when he collapsed on the first fairway after suffering a massive heart attack.

The father-of-two stopped breathing for nearly 10 minutes but survived because of the quick-thinking actions of his fellow golfers. Kevin Gross started immediate CPR while Rob Biggins ran back to the clubhouse to get more help.

First aid-trained Club steward Carl Pagden and another golfer Matt Shaw raced to the fairway and joined Kevin in giving CPR until paramedics arrived with a defibrillator and manage to restart John’s heart before the air ambulance arrived.

Retired farrier Johns said: “It was my first time at the club and I remember Rob saying the first hole was on a bit of a hill but after that, it wasn’t too bad. I took my first shot and the next thing I remember is waking up in hospital.”

“But I’ve been told I was dead for over nine minutes. Without Kevin, Matt and Carl I would not be here – they literally saved my life and I can’t thank them enough for what they did that day.”

Less than one in ten people survive cardiac arrests that happen outside hospital, and for every minute that a person in cardiac arrest doesn’t receive CPR and defibrillation, their chance of survival drops by up to 10% – so acting in an emergency is crucial.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance aircrew medic Dr. Brian White who attended John said: “It is the early starting of CPR that is the most important thing, and that started as soon as John collapsed – that’s the bit that saved his life.”

The dramatic incident happened in May last year. Grandfather of four John, from Hillsborough, was stabilised at the scene and airlifted to Northern General Hospital where he had emergency surgery to fit a mini-defibrillator and pacemaker.

His grateful son Callum started a GoFundMe campaign with has raised enough money to buy a defibrillator for Hillsborough Golf Club, who have since installed a second machine on the course. A donation has also been made to Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which needs £19,000 every day to keep its two helicopters flying.

John added: “When I was in hospital, the footballer Christian Eriksen suffered his heart attack on the pitch during the European Championships and I thought how terrifying it must have been for everyone around me. Thankfully, he survived as well because he received immediate CPR.”

“I am just so grateful that I got that second chance. Every day I wake up is a bonus.”

John’s story features in Tuesday’s episode of Helicopter ER, the award-winning Discovery programme which follows the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Episode 9, which airs on Really, also features a woman who had to learn to walk again after suffering multiple injuries in a car crash, a farmer who was crushed by one of her cows, and a pensioner who drove into a house after an automatic gearbox mix-up.

Serving a population of approximately five million people across the whole of Yorkshire, the Charity operates two air ambulance helicopters from airbases at The Nostell Priory near Wakefield and RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk, plus two Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs).

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

Find further YAA News HERE.

North Yorkshire woman who had to learn to walk again after near-fatal car crash to appear on Helicopter ER

11 November 202411 November 2022 by Angela Brearley

A North Yorkshire woman’s near-fatal car accident will feature in the next episode of Helicopter ER – the reality TV series featuring the work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Viv Crosier was travelling home from work when a van pulled out from a junction in front of her near Slingsby.

Unable to stop, she crashed into the side of the van at 40mph suffering multiple injuries. The 60-year-old was trapped in her crumpled car for over an hour as emergency services worked to stabilise her before cutting her free from the wreckage.

Extremely grateful for the support from the emergency services team and the public Viv from Malton said: “Everybody was absolutely incredible, so kind and reassuring.”

“It was a hot day in mid-July, and it was overwhelming and scary. One lady got straight in the car to help me, and she didn’t know what state the car was in, but she didn’t think twice.”

“The way the emergency services worked together was brilliant. I’m so thankful.”

Being an hour’s drive from a major trauma centre, Yorkshire Air Ambulance flew Viv within 15 minutes to Leeds General Infirmary.

Scans revealed the Weighbridge Operator had broken her back, her right ankle, and foot. She was in the hospital for 7 days and underwent surgery 11 months later for her ankle.

She had to learn to walk again after her injuries, with family and friends supporting her on her long rehabilitation journey. Viv has returned to work as a Weighbridge Operator at Ian Mosey Feeds after 15 months and is finally returning to normality.

Viv’s story features in Tuesday’s episode of Helicopter ER, the award-winning Discovery programme which follows the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Episode 9, which airs on Really, also features a man who went into cardiac arrest whilst playing golf, a farmer who was crushed by one of her cows, and a pensioner who drove into a house after an automatic gearbox mix-up.

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

Find further YAA News HERE.