General

Fixing the aerial nearly ended in tragedy for South Yorkshire construction worker Gary Young when an undiagnosed brain aneurysm burst.

The father-of-two collapsed while on the roof and fell around 30ft into the garden of the family home in Thorne.

Gary broke nearly every rib and also punctured a lung in the horror fall, but miraculously survived, largely medics believe because he was unconscious when he landed.

The 52 year-old was airlifted to the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and his grateful daughter Rachel has now become a volunteer for the rapid response emergency charity.

“I can’t thank the air ambulance enough for everything they did for us that day,” said 24 year-old Rachel from Park View, Thorne.

“They were just amazing. Because of the nature of his injuries and the amount of pain my Dad was in, he had to get to hospital as quick as possible and a road journey would have been out of the question.

“I felt I just had to do something to thank the charity and becoming a volunteer is a great way to help to raise money and awareness about the work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”

Gary’s brain injury was only diagnosed in hospital where he spent over two weeks in intensive care following surgery to clip the ruptured aneurysm.

The extent of his rib fractures and punctured lung meant he was on a ventilator for a week and was fitted with a body brace to help his shattered ribs begin to heal.

That was exactly a year ago and Gary is still struggling physically and emotionally. Rachel added: “My Dad is still in a lot of pain as some of the ribs have not healed properly.

“From someone who was such a hard worker, always on the go, Dad can’t really walk that far now and just has so little energy.

“I think he has been suffering from post traumatic stress. He’s not sleeping because he’s aware he has the aneurysm and he’s scared of falling asleep in case he doesn’t wake up. It’s been very hard for him.”

Rachel, an administrator with Redline Aviation Security at Robin Hood Airport, is calling on people to join her by becoming a volunteer for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The rapid response emergency charity – which has to raise £9,990 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air –  is appealing for more volunteers in South Yorkshire to run stalls and attend local events.

South Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser Mark Perry said: “We are asked to attend lots of events throughout the year and can’t cover this increasing demand without the support of our brilliant volunteers.

"It’s also important that we’re out more in local communities answering questions about the charity, telling people what we do, and why their support is so vital.

"Being a volunteer is a really great way to get out and about in your local area and meet people. You would be part of a fantastic team and you can do as little or as much as you want, to fit in with your lifestyle.”

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or would like to find out more contact Mark on 077681 75727 or email him at m.perry@yaa.org.uk.

The Wetherby Whaler fish and chip restaurants and takeaways in Yorkshire have raised £4,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Customers at Wetherby Whaler’s five branches across Yorkshire, which are in Guiseley, Pudsey, Wetherby, York and Wakefield, have been donating their loose change to collection tins in the restaurants, which has amounted to the impressive sum.  

The cheque was handed over to Kerry Garner, West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) and Carrie Cheeseman, who was rescued by the YAA following a horrific accident in 2009.

Carrie and her two children, Maxwell, now 8, and Scarlett, who was nine-months-old at the time of the accident, were hit by a car near their home in Morley. Carrie was subsequently airlifted to hospital by the charity.  

Carrie suffered multiple serious injuries and, in what was already a traumatic year, Carrie’s husband-to-be, Stephen, also had the Yorkshire Air Ambulance called to him when he came off his bike while training for a triathlon – although on that occasion the Charity’s services were not required to transfer him to hospital.

The Wetherby Whaler adopted the Yorkshire Air Ambulance as its chosen charity in 2011 and has since raised nearly £10,000 for the iconic Yorkshire rapid response emergency service through collection tins.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity that provides a rapid response air emergency service to 5 million people across 4 million acres of Yorkshire. The charity has to raise £9,990 every day, which equates to £3.6 million a year, to keep both of Yorkshire's air ambulances in the air and relies on donations from individuals and organisations to meet this demand.

Phillip Murphy, Owner of The Wetherby Whaler, said: “The Yorkshire Air Ambulance does fantastic life-saving work across Yorkshire, so as a Yorkshire-based business, we thought it was only fitting that we show our support. I’d like to say a big thank you to all of our customers who donated their loose change – it’s amazing how a little can add up and go such a long way.”

Kerry Garner, West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “The generosity that we receive from the people and businesses of Yorkshire is the lifeblood of the charity and without this support, we would not be able to provide the service that we are so proud of. We are extremely grateful to the Wetherby Whaler and its customers for the very kind and generous donation.”

Carrie Cheeseman said: “It is fantastic that establishments such as The Wetherby Whaler support The Yorkshire Air Ambulance. I, my husband and our two children are extremely grateful for the charity’s amazing crews and the invaluable work that the YAA does across Yorkshire.”

Window cleaner Chris Stoneman is hoping he’s on the ladder to fund raising success.

For the 62-year-old from Woodhouse, Leeds, is aiming to polish off a 1,000-mile marathon bike ride for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Chris became the charity’s 2,000th patient eight years ago when he was airlifted to hospital following a horrific road accident.

He slammed into a wall and broke his neck after his motorbike hit a patch of diesel on the road near Settle, North Yorkshire.

Following a long and painful five-month recovery, Chris decided to hang up his leathers. But he has since taken up road biking and is a keen member of the Airedale Olympic Cycling Club.

“I’m a window cleaner and used to being on the go all the time,” said Chris. “So after the accident when I couldn’t do much I put on quite a lot of weight.

“My son, who had been biking with me when I had the accident, started cycling aswell and we’ve both lost a lot of weight.

“The thing I missed most about biking was the adrenalin rush, but cycling really gives you an incredible buzz and is such a brilliant thing to do.”

Chris is aiming to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats this July in just 10 days – a challenge that will involve completing nearly 100 miles each day.

The father of two is hoping to raise at least £1,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance – the rapid response emergency charity that has now rescued nearly 6,000 people.

“I know it’s going to be really tough cycling 100 miles a day, but we are training hard and I just wanted to do something that would raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

“It’s a fantastic charity that provides a life-saving service. Living where we do there are a lot of people who enjoy the countryside by biking, cycling, climbing, going horse riding and walking and you never know when you might need that helicopter.”

Chris has set up a JustGiving page and if you would like to sponsor him, go to https://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Stoneman3/

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance needs to raise £9,990 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air –  equivalent to £3.6 million a year.

Without any direct government funding, the only help the YAA receives is through the secondment of its paramedics from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

HRH The Duke of York, KG, has pledged his “wholehearted” support to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The Duke was speaking as he officially opened the rapid response Charity’s state-of-the-art Air Support Unit on the Nostell Priory Estate, near Wakefield yesterday.

“When you consider the size and extent of Yorkshire, what you are able to deliver on behalf of the county’s citizens is absolutely outstanding,” said the Duke, who is Royal Patron of the YAA.

“Thank you for the service you give come rain or shine because it means so much to the people of Yorkshire.

“I am sure they will continue to give as generously as they have done in the past and support this service which is working on a day to day basis to deliver care across the county.

 “You can be assured of my wholehearted support because I believe totally in this outstanding service.”

The Duke, a former Naval helicopter pilot and instructor, toured the purpose-developed Air Support Unit in the grounds of the Nostell Estate meeting YAA crew, paramedics, supporters and staff.

The YAA relocated from its previous base at Leeds Bradford International Airport in November 2013 to improve coverage and response times to patients in the West and South of the county.

Nostell also boasts a larger helicopter hangar space, overnight crew facilities, a dedicated fuel bowser, helipad and improved office and crew facilities.

Peter Sunderland, YAA Chairman said: “We are absolutely delighted that our Royal Patron, HRH The Duke of York, KG agreed to open our Nostell Air Support Unit.

“The relocation to Nostell is a major step forward for the Charity. It is enhancing our service across the region, improving flying times to all areas and creating an operational overlap in our busiest areas.

“We are extremely proud to have this fabulous facility which helps us to deliver an even better service to the people of Yorkshire.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance has transported nearly 6,000 people and needs to raise £9,990 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air –  equivalent to £3.6 million a year.

Without any direct government funding, the only help the YAA receives is through the secondment of its paramedics from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Carrie Cheeseman is getting ready to wear her wedding dress again – six years after a horrific accident forced her to cancel her big day.

Carrie and her two young children were hit by a car near their Morley home in November 2009 – just a fortnight before she was due to marry.

She suffered horrific, multiple injuries and was air lifted to hospital by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, spending a month in Leeds General Infirmary and many more painful months recovering at home.

In what was a traumatic year, the air ambulance was also called out to her husband-to-be Stephen who came off his bike while training for a triathlon.

The couple finally walked down the aisle at the Marriott Hotel, Leeds, in August, 2010.  Carrie will be back there in her wedding dress later this year for a wedding-themed fund raising ball for the rapid response emergency charity that helped save her life.

“I wanted to do something as it’s coming up to five years after we married. It’s going to be a fantastic evening and I hope we can raise a lot of money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance,” said 41 year-old Carrie.

“I wanted to hold a ball and my friend, who believe it or not actually hoovers in her wedding dress, suggested the wedding theme.

“So many people just wear their dress once and then it’s bagged up and put away. I’m going to wear my wedding dress – even if it has to be taken out a bit – and hopefully a lot of other women coming to the ball will do the same.”

Carrie was lucky to survive the horrific road accident breaking her neck, back, pelvis, several ribs, both legs, right shoulder blade and her right arm. She also suffered a punctured lung and serious knee ligament damage.

Carrie’s son Maxwell, now 8, received a blow to the head and then nine-month-old Scarlett suffered broken ribs, pelvis and a lacerated liver.

Since then grateful Carrie, Stephen, and her Mum Carol Bradbury from Penistone have been active volunteers and fund raisers for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

 “The air ambulance is something that you just don’t think you will ever need but it is there for everyone,” said Carrie from Topcliffe Court, Morley.

The fund raising ball is being held at the Marriott Hotel, Leeds, on Saturday October 10. The £45 tickets include a three-course meal, welcome drink, DJ and band, casino, raffle and auction.

For more information and to buy tickets please contact Carrie on 07803 821372

Yorkshire Air Ambulance needs to raise £9,990 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air –  equivalent to £3.6 million a year.

Without any direct government funding, the only help the YAA receives is through the secondment of its paramedics from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

A new BBC TV series will feature how a Yorkshire woman’s bid to get a better view of the Tour de France nearly ended in tragedy when she fell through a roof.

Sally Hartley was joining other people on the roof of the High Corn Mill, Skipton, to watch the cycling spectacular when she plunged more than 20ft through plastic sheeting.

She hit an iron table before striking her head on the stone flagged floor. Her rescue by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance will be shown during Friday’s episode of the new BBC1 series Countryside 999.

Sally, 49, had gone up on the roof with her daughter Emma and her fall was witnessed below by her other daughter Jessica and two year-old grand-daughter.

“There hay bales up on the roof for people to watch the Tour go past and I asked if my daughter and I could go up,” said Sally who runs a nail and beauty clinic in the High Corn Mill with her partner.

“There were others behind me and I climbed through a window onto a hay bale and then just took two steps and fell straight through the plastic sheeting.”

The nail technician, who was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, suffered severe concussion and damaged her lower back but miraculously avoided serious physical injuries.

“I am incredibly lucky in that way,” added Sally from Hawarth. “I did have really bad dizziness and vertigo for a few months after the accident and now have back problems, but the accident has affected be much more mentally.

“I have changed from being a very outgoing and bubbly person to someone who can just burst into tears for no reason. I was having really bad panic attacks and it’s been really hard.

“I am just so grateful for the air ambulance. I don’t remember much immediately after the fall but the paramedics were just amazing.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) had the busiest weekend in its 14-year history when the Tour de France passed through Yorkshire last year attending 31 incidents between Friday, July 4 and Sunday, July 6.  

They included airlifting a 14 year-old boy enjoying a cycling weekend in Yorkshire to watch his biking heroes. Henry Wood lost control of his bike at the bottom of a steep hill, plummeted over a bridge and fell around 15 feet onto a stony riverbank.

Henry was bleeding from a head wound, had amnesia and was complaining of back pain and so was flown with worried Mum Jane to Leeds General Infirmary where, fortunately his injuries were not serious.

The grateful teenager from Kenilworth, Warwickshire, is now raising money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity that rescued him.

The rapid response emergency charity needs to raise £9,990 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air –  equivalent to £3.6 million a year.

Without any direct government funding, the only help the YAA receives is through the secondment of its paramedics from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Sally and Henry’s rescue will feature on Countryside 999 on Friday, February 20, at 11am on BBC1. The series follows the emergency services in rural Britain who negotiate huge distances, difficult terrain and often dreadful weather to care for and protect the public.

Keen cyclist Henry Wood, 14, had to be airlifted to hospital by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance following the horror crash.

He was in a group with Mum Jane, and step Dad John, cycling to watch his biking heroes in Harrogate when Henry lost control at the bottom of a steep hill, plummeted over a bridge and fell around 15 feet onto a stony riverbank.

The drama will be shown during Friday’s episode of Countryside 999 on BBC1 which follows the work of the emergency services in Britain’s rural areas.

“We had seen the Tour and in particular Mark Cavandish go through Harrogate on the Saturday and were cycling to watch the peleton again on the Sunday,” said Mum Jane.

“We came down a very steep hill and over a bridge. I was at the back and as we were coming up the other side I saw John jump off his bike and run back.

“I then saw Henry lying on the riverbank. It was very very frightening. Henry recognised me but did not know where he was or anything about watching the Tour de France.

“He was bleeding by his helmet and was complaining of pain in his back so we were really worried.”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) was dispatched and Henry was airlifted to the trauma unit at Leeds General Infirmary where fortunately his injuries were not serious.

Henry is now back in the saddle and is so grateful to the helicopter heroes that rescued him, is planning a fund raising event for the rapid response emergency charity.

“He had concussion and a big cut across his forehead, massive grazing and bruising to his leg but he was really very lucky,” added relieved Mum Jane.

“Henry is really keen to do something to thank the Yorkshire Air Ambulance for what they did that day. It is such a brilliant service.”

The YAA needs to raise £9,990 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air –  equivalent to £3.6 million a year.

Henry’s rescue will feature on Countryside 999 on Friday, February 20, at 11am on BBC1. The series follows the emergency services in rural Britain who negotiate huge distances, difficult terrain and often dreadful weather to care for and protect the public.

Huddersfield Town is still accepting entries for fans to take part in Pedal for Pounds 6, with Chairman Dean Hoyle looking for the ride to hit record numbers!

The deadline to enter the bike ride, which raises funds for the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign, has been extended to Friday 27 February.

There are currently 254 supporters taking part in this season’s bike ride – 42% of which have never taken part in a Pedal for Pounds bike ride before – and Hoyle is targeting the 300 that took part in P4P4. 

The two day ride will start at Victoria Tower on Castle Hill in Almondbury at 10am on Friday 1 May 2015, with that day finishing 70 miles away at Blackpool Tower. 

On Saturday 2 May 2015, after the Terriers’ final game of the Sky Bet Championship season against the Seasiders, the ride will set off from the Bloomfield Road Stadium and cycle back to the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield.

The ride will be 140 miles in total and will see supporters and staff raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Huddersfield Town Academy. 

Huddersfield Town Chairman Dean Hoyle commented:

“We’ve reopened Pedal for Pounds 6 for entries in order to beat the record number of riders for one bike ride, which we’re fewer than 50 participants from! 

“It’s great to hear we’ve got lots of first time riders taking part this year; the route was designed with those people in mind. Hopefully we can tempt back some of the veterans to beat the 300 mark, as well as some other first time riders.

“The importance of the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign was really put in focus by the memorable scenes involving our very own Tommy Smith after the Leeds United derby. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance did a superb job at caring for a member of the Huddersfield Town family, which culminated in him being back out on the pitch against Wolves in midweek. 

“Every penny raised through our fundraising campaign helps to keep those life-saving helicopters in the air, as well as funding our Academy. If you can take part, please do so!”

If you would like to take part in the ‘Pedal for Pounds 6’ bike ride, sponsored by Orchard Energy, please download a sign-up form and medical form and return both, along with your £35 registration fee (non-refundable; covers ride cycling jersey, bike and bag tags, ride insurance, ‘I Completed’ t-shirt and water, sandwich and snacks on both days).

Forms can be posted FAO Robyn Deegan, HTAFC, the John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield, HD1 6PX or handed in at main reception or the Ticket Office windows. Cheques should be made out to the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign. 

Forms can be downloaded here: http://bit.ly/1L7EmjV

The organisers of the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials are proud to announce our 2015 charitable partner as the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).  In the last five years, the event has teamed up with a number of charities, both equine and regional, to raise around £50,000 towards the essential work they carry out.  Running 11 – 14 June, Bramham will be the perfect opportunity for the YAA, an independent charity, to demonstrate their work which covers over five million Yorkshire residents, as well as raise vital funds.

The YAA keeps two air ambulances in the air 12 months of the year, seven days a week, at a cost of around £10,000 per day and are totally funded through donations.  Their two bases in Wakefield and Thirsk ensure that they can reach a casualty anywhere in the region with only a 15 minute flight time to the nearest relevant treatment centre, saving valuable seconds.  The charity employs minimal staff including six pilots plus over 100 volunteers.  The only direct support they receive is through the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust who supply their paramedics through a secondment programme. With total running costs of £3.6million per year, the YAA must tirelessly raise funds to keep the service, which they are rightfully proud of, flying for the community. Nearly 6,000 patients have been assisted and flown directly to hospital since its inception in 2000. 

Kerry Garner, Regional Fundraiser:  “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as the Charity for this year’s Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials.  It’s always a spectacular event and we are looking forward to being there over the weekend.  The YAA is an independent Charity covering the whole of Yorkshire, with Bramham being near the heart of the region.  We receive no direct government funding and rely totally on individuals, groups and events such as the Horse Trials to help us raise the nearly £10,000 we need every day.  We also get a lot of support from the equine community too, and attend several incidents each year involving horse-riders, so we’re delighted to be able to become more involved through Bramham International Horse Trials.”

Kerry and her team are busily planning their activities on-site during the four days of action; they’ll certainly be in the trade stand village with their range of merchandise and the opportunity to support their weekly lottery for just £1.  Their volunteers will also be out and about across the site talking to visitors and collecting donations.   Other plans and ways to be involved will be released in the run up to the event.

Event Director Nicholas Pritchard and the team are also deep in planning mode; “The early signs of spring are showing around the Park which are always a welcome sight.  We’ve had our first official inspection already with the FEI Technical Advisers visiting for their first walk of the course with designer Ian Stark so the countdown to June has well and truly begun!” said Nicholas. He continued; “We’re looking forward to working with Kerry and the YAA and hope we can raise a significant amount for this amazing charity.  Any of us could need their services one day so let’s hope our visitors are as generous as ever.”

The Equi-Trek Bramham Horse Trials is Yorkshire’s largest equestrian event with eventing, show jumping, showing, young stock classes and Pony Club activities on show.  The showcase Equi-Trek CCI3* runs alongside the Bishop Burton College under 25 CCI3* and the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC3*; three great classes, four amazing days!  The on-line Box Office is now open and booking in advance qualifies you for discounted tickets and free car parking.  All the more important as it’ll help put pennies back your pocket to spend when you shop around our 160 trade stands in June!  Tickets can be bought for the day or season and you can make your visit a little bit more ‘VIP’ with passes for the members’ enclosure.  Or one of the most popular is to become part of the ‘Bramham furniture’ for the event and camp on-site – season and weekend tickets are available but hurry, these are the first to sell out!  Visit www.bramham-horse.co.uk for full prices and how to book.

You can also follow the news via the website or like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bramhamhorsetrials) or follow us on Twitter (@BramhamPark).