General

Yorkshire Air Ambulance has appointed a new Regional Fundraising Manager for North and East Yorkshire. Linda Stead has stepped up from Regional Fundraiser for the North Yorkshire Region to manage the entirety of North Yorkshire covering from the Yorkshire Dales, to the East Coast and the Humber.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) serves 5 million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,300 missions every year. The Charity operates two, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters and needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep saving lives.

Lin has worked at Yorkshire Air Ambulance since 2016, but she started her career very differently as a postwoman for the Royal Mail, before progressing to HR roles within the firm for more than 25 years, then going into the pub trade for a while. After a short break, she saw a volunteer vacancy for the charity that Lin turned her hand to charity work.

Commenting on the start of her role at the YAA, Lin said “I had just stepped down from two very busy jobs and I was looking for ideas to fill my time. I like doing things outside and I like being active, so when I saw a vacancy for volunteers in North Yorkshire I thought I would apply. I spent a few months volunteering in my spare time and then a position arose for a Community Fundraiser role with the Charity which I was successful in securing.  The rest is history and I’ve now been working with the YAA for 6 years”

“Yorkshire Air Ambulance is very much a close, family values charity. Everyone knows everybody and appreciates everyone’s individual roles both from the operational roles, administration to the fundraising side and the volunteers. It is very active, you’re out and meeting new people all the time, they are so generous and grateful that we are here. It’s a wonderful feeling going to work on a morning”, she continued.

Over the last six years, Lin has progressed from Community Fundraiser to Regional Fundraiser, and now Regional Fundraising Manager, attending numerous high profile events across the region and building close connections with many supporters in the area. She is now looking forward to networking with and getting to know new and existing supporters across East Yorkshire.

Speaking of some of her best moments working as a Regional Fundraiser, she said: “We attend so many incredible events, but one that I enjoy every year is Buckden Gala as it is a real community village show. Every year you go, you see the same people and it generally rains, but everyone has fun and appreciates you being there. I also enjoy working at events when patients come up to you and say ‘you saved my life’. It really brings it home why we do what we do.”

Lin is also now recruiting for two new Community Fundraisers to join the North area regional team to help cover the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas.

When asked what makes a good fundraiser, Lin said: “Someone who enjoys a new challenge each day as no day is ever the same in this role!  Someone who is very organised, a good listener and enjoys being outside because we spend a lot of time outside in various weather conditions. A good fundraiser is also someone who enjoys engaging with the community. You never know what conversations are going to lead to, a talk or a fundraising opportunity, every single day is different.”

For information on Yorkshire Air Ambulance job opportunities and to apply for the North Yorkshire Community Fundraiser position, please visit: https://www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk/contact-us-careers/work-for-the-yaa/

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s pop up charity shop at the St John’s shopping centre in Leeds has now raised the charity more than £20,000 since its opening in March 2020.

The retail unit was kindly offered by the St John’s Shopping Centre team to help raise the profile and vital funds for the lifesaving rapid response charity, which responded to 534 incidents across West Yorkshire in 2020, 62 of which were from the Leeds area.

Donations to the charity shop have been generously gifted by the public, members of staff and volunteers, including clothing, Bric a Brac and hand-knitted baby and children’s clothing. Also available to purchase is much of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s official merchandise.

The charity store was also delighted to welcome the Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Asghar Khan to one of their events before Christmas to learn all about the important work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance across the region.

Angela Vyas, West Yorkshire Community Fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the Leeds St Johns management team for this fantastic opportunity to highlight the vital work of our charity in their shopping centre, to our wonderful volunteers who have given their time to run the shop and we would also like to thank all of our customers over the last year for their continued support and generosity.

The funds raised from the pop-up shop will go towards our core costs to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances flying across the region.”

Susan Mendoza, St John’s Centre Manager, said: “We are so pleased that we have been a part of this wonderful achievement. It has been a privilege to work in partnership with Yorkshire Air Ambulance throughout the pandemic and we are grateful to all of our customers, tenants and employees for providing support to this incredible charity.”

To find out more about Yorkshire Air Ambulance pop up charity shop and for opening times, please keep an eye on Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s social media channels – Yorkshire Air Ambulance on Facebook and @yorkshireairamb on Twitter or call the charity office on 01422 237900.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) serves 5 million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,300 missions every year. The Charity operates two, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters and needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep saving lives

Did you know that you can recycle unwanted clothing and shoes to help raise vital funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA)? Over the last two years, recycling has raised over £308,000 for the life-saving charity.

The Charity have more than 230 textile bins across Yorkshire and with the help of their recycling partner, Recycling Solutions, Yorkshire Air Ambulance are now launching their home collection service, starting in Wakefield this Thursday (27^th January 2022).

Recycling Solutions are a family run textile recycling company and since 2007, they have been working with charities and local authorities to reduce the amount of textile waste going to landfill.

For every item of clothing or pair of shoes donated, the YAA receives a percentage of the sale of the donated goods. Good quality items are re-sold to second-hand clothing traders in the UK and worldwide.

If you would like to request a collection, please bag up your unwanted clothing or textiles and complete the online form on the Yorkshire Air Ambulance website telling them how many bags you have, yaa.org.uk/request-a-recycling-collection/ or call the charity office telephone number on 01422 237900. Their recycling partners, Recycling Solutions, will then be in touch to book your collection between 8 am and 5 pm on your allocated day.

Collections will be contactless, with drivers not going into the home and the charity is asking people to leave the bags on the doorstep when the driver arrives.

Katie Collinson, Corporate and Partnerships Manager for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “Since our partnership with Recycling Solutions began in January 2020, generous donations from the people of Yorkshire have helped us raise more than £308,000 and we’re really excited to be launching our home collections.  Our home collection scheme is convenient for everyone meaning we arrange to come to you making it easier than ever before for people to recycle and raise vital funds for YAA

It costs £12,000 per day to keep our Charity saving lives across the region and our recycling scheme gives us sustainable income that we can rely on, as well as helping the planet in the process. We are very grateful to everyone for their support.”

To find out more about recycling for YAA and to locate your nearest YAA recycling bank, visit yaa.org.uk/recycling/

To find out about future collections in other areas across Yorkshire, follow the Charities Facebook page Facebook.com/YorkshireAirAmbulance.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) serves 5 million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,300 missions every year. The Charity operates two, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters and needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep saving lives.

A former patient has thanked the Yorkshire Air Ambulance heroes who saved his life, after a horrific crash on A64 last year.

On November 22^nd 2021, James Eastwood, 38, an Operations Director for a food company from Wakefield, was travelling to work in Malton on the A64 when his car collided with another vehicle. He has no memory of the incident, apart from a Paramedic saying ‘let’s give him morphine’.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance dispatched their aircraft and due to the extent of James’ injuries, he was flown to the nearest major trauma centre, Leeds General Infirmary.

Tests at the hospital revealed that James had broken his spine in four places, suffered internal bleeding and seriously damaged his bowels. He spent 21 days in the hospital and has endured four surgeries.

James is still recovering from a lot of his injuries but is now able to walk again, he still experiences pain. He has now registered to become a volunteer for the charity, and providing his recovery goes well, he is planning on running 8 miles from his home in Wakefield to Leeds General Infirmary to raise money for the charity later this year. He will be joined by 10 of his friends, family and co-workers.

Speaking of the air ambulance, James said: “I had heard of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, but I had no idea that they are a charity. If it wasn’t for them, I would not have made it to the hospital in time by land ambulance due to massive internal bleeding. I’m really grateful for all they did and want to give back to them by doing all I can.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity that needs to raise £12,000 a day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and in the air. The donations they receive are the life-blood of the charity. To find out more about the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, please visit: https://www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk/

Catch up on other YAA news HERE.

The Eldwick Village Society has reached an incredible £50,000 fundraising milestone for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Eldwick Village Society is a community-based hub based near Bingley West Yorkshire, which offers news to residents of the small village of Eldwick, as well as organising a host of events in the area.

The community group have supported Yorkshire Air Ambulance since 2010 through a variety of events including an annual Beer and Banger Festival, where award-winning sausages are cooked over charcoal and thirty locally sourced hand drawn beers are on sale.

Chairman of Eldwick Village Society, Tony Clegg, said: “We work closely with YAA for this annual event and it has proved a very successful partnership with the helicopter regularly landing at the event on a Saturday afternoon. We would like to thank everyone who has supported our Beer and Banger Festival and look forward to working with YAA in 2022.”

Kerry Dwyer, Yorkshire Air Ambulance Director of Fundraising (South and West), said: “The Eldwick Beer and Banger Festival is a firm favourite in our YAA calendar and we would like to thank the organisers and those who have attended the event over the years for their generosity and support.

It costs £12,000 a day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and in the air and the phenomenal £50,000 raised has helped greatly towards the vital of funding of our service and keeping our helicopters airborne. We look forward to working with Eldwick Village Society again this year.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) crew are urging people to stay warm this winter with a mug of hot chocolate to beat hypothermia and raise vital funds for their charity, with their annual YAA Hot Chocolate Fundraising Day, which takes place on Friday 28^th January.

YAA is an independent Charity that needs to raise £12,000 every single day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances in the air and maintained.  The charity responds to more than 1,500 incidents every single year with the winter period being one of their busiest times.

For the last few years, the YAA has been marking National Hot Chocolate Day with a series of fundraising campaigns and events, helping to bring people together whilst raising awareness of the life-saving Charity and other topical issues.

January is one of the UK’s coldest months with an average temperature of only 7 degrees. The cold, wintery weather brings many seasonal dangers and can be a cause of many excess deaths every single year.

Hypothermia is when the body’s temperature drops below 35 degrees, paving way for potential cardiovascular and respiratory issues, amongst other conditions. Older people and the more vulnerable are considered most at risk, but hypothermia can affect anyone if the body gets too cold.

James Allen, HEMS Paramedic at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “The effect the cold weather can have on the human body is often highly underestimated and hypothermia can be very dangerous. At this time of year, we attend many incidents where people are unequipped for the colder climate, particularly those hiking, biking or taking part in long walks. Additionally, patients that have been involved in road accidents tend to get cold very quickly at this time of year.  In cases of mild hypothermia a warm, sugary drink can in itself be a treatment. Especially in those patients that, as a result of a prolonged period of exposure, have depleted their glucose reserves and are at risk of developing more severe hypothermia.

In more serious cases our crew are able to bring heated blankets, an insulated sleeping bag and a storm shelter to protect the patient from the elements whilst we treat their injuries. For critically injured patients Yorkshire Air Ambulance carries blood that is warmed up to body temperature just prior to administration. Most crucially, YAA provides rapid transport from the scene of the incident to the hospital, where patients can be completely rewarmed. Prevention is, however, better than the cure and this campaign is a great way of highlighting the dangers of the cold weather and encouraging people to stay safe this winter.”

One of the best and most enjoyable ways to stay warm and hydrated is with a hot cup of cocoa. Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Hot Chocolate fundraising day will take place on 28^th January 2022 and the charity will be encouraging supporters to sign up and join them for a cup of hot chocolate, whilst learning about the vital work the charity does 365 days a year across Yorkshire.

The YAA has issued an awareness video about hypothermia and the risks of cold weather, and there will also be a virtual event where you can learn more about the dangers with ITV Calendar’s Meteorologist and YAA Patron, Jon Mitchell interviewing the crew. There will also be a chance to learn more about the charity through talks with Helicopter ER Producer Matt Richards, speaking about how they film the award-winning television show.

To register for the event or to take part in Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s hot chocolate day, please visit:https://www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk/get-involved/events/yaa-events/yaa-hot-chocolate-day-2022/

Yorkshire Air Ambulance crew, staff and volunteers have come together to produce a very special rendition of the Christmas classic ‘Jingle Bells’ to spread some festive smiles and cheer, and thank everyone for their valued support over the last year.

The light-hearted video features a collaboration from Charity staff, crew and volunteers who work at the lifesaving charity wearing festive attire singing along to Jingle Bells, which was filmed all across the region.  The track is also accompanied by an acoustic performance by local musicians Mark Stringer and Scott Phoenix from Pontefract.

YAA is an independent Charity that needs to raise £12,000 every single day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances in the air and maintained and operates 365 days per year from their airbases at Nostell near Wakefield and Topcliffe near Thirsk.

Abby Barmby, Director of Marketing and Communications for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “The last twelve months have been tough for everyone.  We have pretty much seen our summer events calendar wiped out and missed out on so many of our regular and annual fundraising events.  Thankfully, our fundraising teams have been able to get back out on the road fundraising in their local communities over the last few months, and some events are starting to take place again.   Even during these tough times, we have continued to be overwhelmed by the support we have received from the people of Yorkshire and beyond and we wanted to thank everyone in our own festive way! The idea of this video was just to bring a smile to everyone’s faces and to try and end the year positively!”

Abby continued “Everyone involved has been so enthusiastic, and we have really enjoyed pulling it all together.  We hope it makes everyone smile as much as we have and helps to raise awareness of the vital work we undertake!  Whilst most of us will get to enjoy our Christmas day with friends and family, our crew will be operational as we are a 365 day operation, alongside our other colleagues in organisations such as the NHS, the emergency services and care services.”

To watch the video, please CLICK HERE

A man from Pickering with a heart condition that has required the air ambulance to respond to him three times is set to share his story on Helicopter ER this week.

In March 2021, Clive Ainley from Pickering, East Yorkshire, was at home when he began feeling clammy and experiencing chest pains. Clive recognised the symptoms as a heart attack after experiencing one only a few years before.

Earlier that day Clive had been at York hospital having a check-up where they carried out an ECG to look for any abnormalities of his heart and everything appeared to be normal. He did not expect to be calling the emergency services later that evening.

Speaking of when he first noticed his symptoms Clive said: “You’re in denial because it can’t be happening again, and you think straight away what it could be. It wasn’t until I sat down and started having difficulty breathing and shortness of breath that I knew it was a heart attack. “

Yorkshire Air Ambulance dispatched their Topcliffe aircraft and Clive was flown to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for further treatment.

Tests at the hospital revealed that the stent fitted after Clive’s first attack had become blocked, and he was given an implantable defibrillator to monitor and restart his heart if necessary.

Clive was always a very active man and at 51, is under the average age to have heart attacks. The YAA since attended to him again, when his ICD went off as his heart kept going in and out of rhythm, but thankfully has remained stable since and has now been referred to specialists at Newcastle Hospital to be added to the heart transplant list.

“I cannot thank Yorkshire Air Ambulance enough for all their help, the work that they do is second to none”, said Clive.

Clive’s incident will be broadcast on Yorkshire Air Ambulance reality television show, Helicopter ER, on Tuesday 7^th December at 10 pm on Channel Really. The episode also features a rock face fall in North Yorkshire and a bike incident at the Humber estuary.

A cyclist who fell off his bike during a 200-mile bike ride across the North Yorkshire Moors is set to appear on Helicopter ER next week.

In August 2020, avid cyclist Paul Coxon from Middlesbrough was cycling the 200-mile Sportiv route through Yorkshire with a group of friends when he fell from his bike around the 120-mile point.

A passer-by found Paul and ran to a nearby house to ask them to call the emergency services. Paul has no recollection of what happened, and his water bottle was found some distance from where he fell.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance dispatched their Topcliffe aircraft and their two Paramedics assessed Paul and made the decision to fly him to James Cook University Hospital for further treatment. The area where Paul had his incident was approximately 50 miles away from the nearest major trauma centre.

Tests at the hospital revealed that Paul had broken seven ribs, two vertebrae, dislocated his right shoulder and punctured his lung.

Paul spent five days in the hospital and had a difficult two-month recovery, where he struggled to even lie down. But thankfully, he has since been able to get back on his bike.

“There was a little bit of trepidation at first, but after five minutes it was like I’d never been off the bike and it felt marvellous to be out riding again.

Speaking of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Paul said: “To the Paramedics who came out in the air ambulance that day, I can’t say enough really. Where would I be without them? Without their help I might still be at the side of the road somewhere.”

The episode of Helicopter ER which will be shown on Channel Really at 10 PM on Tuesday 30th November also features a cardiac arrest and two elderly people trapped in a car.

Wentbridge House Hotel has reached an impressive £50,000 fundraising milestone for Yorkshire Air Ambulance after a decade of support for the Charity.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is an independent Charity providing life-saving rapid emergency response to five million people across four million acres of Yorkshire. Last year, the Charity responded to 1,365 incidents across the region.

Wentbridge House is a luxury four-star multi-award-winning country house hotel, restaurant, and wedding venue in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, just a short drive away from the YAA’s Nostell airbase.

Over the years, Wentbridge House has supported Yorkshire Air Ambulance in a multitude of ways, including playing host to three big events marking annual Yorkshire Day celebrations, providing raffle prizes for fundraising events, hosting Charity luncheon’s, as well asking hotel guests for a £1 donation to Yorkshire Air Ambulance for every room booked.

Catherine Hardy, General Manager of Wentbridge House said: “We are grateful that our guests are as keen as we are to support The Yorkshire Air Ambulance. We’re of course proud of this achievement and will continue to raise funds where we can and hopefully we’ll soon be at the £100,000 mark!”

Kerry Dwyer, Fundraising Director (South & West) for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We would like to thank Wentbridge House for their continued support and generosity over the last 10 years and congratulate them on achieving their phenomenal £50,000 fundraising milestone.

It costs £12,000 a day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and in the air and the money raised will help significantly towards the vital funding of our service.”

If you would like to find out how your organisation can get involved with Yorkshire Air Ambulance, visit the Corporate and Business Partnerships section of our website here.

A Halifax boy who saved his dad’s life after he had a cardiac arrest when out running around a local sports pitch is set to appear on Yorkshire Air Ambulance reality television show, Helicopter ER next week.

On March 8^th 2021, Jules Collett, and his 12-year-old son Henry from Hipperholme, Halifax were out running when Jules turned to his son and said that he didn’t feel well.

“I turned to Henry and said I didn’t feel too well and that I was going to collapse, and moments later I did”, said Jules.

Henry, who had only recently completed CPR training at his school, Hipperholme Grammar, and local Sea Cadets club, said: “It was quite scary because he didn’t know what was going on. I knew something had happened because he wasn’t breathing. I said in my head do what you were taught, the next few minutes can save your dad’s life or end very badly.”

Henry began CPR until a jogger appeared and took over whilst Henry ran to get the defibrillator from the nearby Rugby ground.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance dispatched their Nostell aircraft and treated Jules on-scene. He was then taken to Calderdale Royal Infirmary by land ambulance.

Jules spent five days in an induced coma but thankfully made a good recovery. Henry’s actions saved his dad’s life, against all the odds.

“When my dad first woke up, I was so relieved because I still had my dad”, said Henry.

Speaking of his son’s heroic efforts, Jules said: “Hearing Henry talk about what happened that night makes me really impressed and proud of him. I’m so grateful to him. To see what he did from the knowledge he got and he had the confidence to do it, it’s incredible.”

Since his cardiac arrest, Jules has resumed cycling, running and taking part in the couch to 5k challenge with his son. “The swift work by Henry and the medical team’s on-scene gave me a far better chance of recovery and I’ve been able to resume an active life. I’m very thankful for all their help.”

The episode of Helicopter ER which will be shown on Channel Really at 10 PM on Tuesday 16th November also features a serious head injury in Wetherby and a farm accident in the Yorkshire Dales.

A boy from Thirsk whose eyes were accidentally glued together after mistaking super glue for eye drops is set to appear on Helicopter ER tomorrow.

In February 2021, nine-year-old Rupert Day sustained a nasty eye injury due to grit in his eyeball. He had been on eye drops for two days when his dad accidentally picked up super glue instead of the drops when giving him his treatment.

Rupert’s dad Kevin said: “Rupert scratched his eye a few days ago and we were given some eye cream. I went to put it in and then realised I had put superglue in his eye instead. I phoned 999 who advised us to keep flushing it and they said an ambulance was on its way. I wasn’t expecting the air ambulance.”

Due to the close proximity of their airbase to the incident, Yorkshire Air Ambulance dispatched their Topcliffe aircraft and was first on the scene. Their Paramedics bathed Rupert’s eye and administered pain relief until the land ambulance was able to take him to Harrogate Hospital for further treatment.

“I had a massive fear that I had blinded my son and ruined his life”, said Rupert’s Dad.

Speaking of his incident, Rupert said: “I was worried if my eye would open again.”

Rupert spent a few hours in the hospital and couldn’t open his eye for four scary days. But thankfully no glue had gone into his eye and his vision has been completely fine following his traumatic ordeal.

The episode of Helicopter ER which will be shown on Channel Really at 10 PM on Tuesday 2nd November also features a cardiac arrest in Ilkley and a DIY incident in South Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) serves 5 million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,300 missions every year. The Charity operates two, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters and needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep saving lives.