General

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is delighted to announce that His Royal Highness The Duke of York, KG has kindly agreed to become the Royal Patron of the Charity.

The announcement comes after The Duke of York, KG visited and officially opened the YAA’s northern airbase at RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk on Monday 9th July. During his speech, His Royal Highness praised the work of the YAA and said he was proud to be able to take on the role of Royal Patron, and was looking forward to supporting the YAA in their future work.

Peter Sunderland, Chairman of the YAA commented “We were absolutely delighted when we heard the news that The Duke of York, KG had agreed to become our Royal Patron. We have always had close links to His Royal Highness as he has been our Honorary Chief Pilot for a number of years, but for him to have accepted to becoming our Royal Patron is wonderful news.”

“We were able to welcome him to our Northern base airbase at RAF Topcliffe last week where he was shown round our excellent facilities, as well as taking time to meet many of our guests. It was lovely to hear him talk about the excellent work our Charity does and how he had been closely following our progress over the last few years too”

“And to top it off, Prince Andrew’s acceptance of Royal Patronage couldn’t have come at a more apt time given it is Her Majesty The Queen’s Jubilee year. There have been so many wonderful fundraising events organised to commemorate this special occasion as well as raising money for the YAA.”

“We hope to be able to involve His Royal Highness in many of the YAA’s future events”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance operates two life-saving helicopters from RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk and Leeds Bradford International Airport. Together they offer a rapid response emergency service across the Yorkshire region 7 days per week, 365 days a year. An independent Charity, the YAA have to raise in excess of £2.6million (£7,200 per day) each year to keep the helicopters flying and to build reserves for the future.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) welcomed His Royal Highness The Duke of York, KG to officially open their Northern Airbase on Monday 9th July.

The Duke of York, Honorary Chief Pilot to the YAA, was welcomed to their new Northern Airbase at RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk where he unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion as well as being shown around their facilities.

Peter Sunderland, Chairman of the YAA commented “We are absolutely delighted to be able to welcome His Royal Highness to our Airbase at RAF Topcliffe. It is such a privilege that he has so kindly agreed to visit us whilst he is visiting North Yorkshire, especially as he is also our Honorary Chief Pilot.”

“We have been operational from the base for six months now serving the North and East areas of Yorkshire, and the YAA have seen a significantly increased number of incidents being attended, resulting in growing activity across this area.”

RAF Topcliffe, which is within the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery Allenbrook Barracks on the outskirts of Thirsk, offers the YAA an established airfield and infrastructure in North Yorkshire, providing a stable and long term future for one of their air ambulances and crew members.

Facilities at RAF Topcliffe for the YAA include new operational office facilities, a hangar to house and maintain the air ambulance, and also dedicated accommodation for aircrew.

Mr Sunderland continues “I would also like to use this occasion to formally thank both the RAF and the 4 Regiment Royal Artillery for facilitating our move, and making us most welcome on the base. We are delighted to be able to have secured such a fantastic facility in the North Yorkshire area and look forward to many more years of operational activity from Topcliffe.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance operates two life-saving helicopters from RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk and Leeds Bradford International Airport. Together they offer a rapid response emergency service across the Yorkshire region 7 days per week, 365 days a year. An independent Charity, the YAA have to raise in excess of £2.6million (£7,200 per day) each year to keep the helicopters flying and to build reserves for the future.