Archives: Community TYs

Thank you to the Yorkshire Dales Autograss Club, based in Thornborough, North Yorkshire, for choosing YAA as its Charity of the Year in 2024.

Last year and at one of their race meets, a spectator, Clive Taylor, had a cardiac arrest. Members of the club helped initially, then CPR by Medics UK was performed until YAA arrived on scene. As a result of this, YAA has now been chosen to be the club’s official charity every year going forward and they have already raised over £1,200 – a generous contribution that will support YAA’s critical work in saving lives across Yorkshire.

The heartfelt story of Clive’s recovery was shared on social media by Michelle Hurell from Medics UK, with Clive’s permission. Michelle recounted the events from the day of the cardiac arrest, recalling how Clive was found face down in the grass and CPR was started immediately. After about 15 minutes of resuscitation, and with the help of others, Clive’s heart restarted just as the air ambulance arrived. Remarkably, Clive was able to communicate with medics and was discharged from the hospital just three days later, with no heart damage.

Recently, our North Regional Fundraiser Clare, and Community Fundraiser Michelle were invited to the club’s presentation evening.  During the evening, the club hosted a raffle and a game where each person involved put £5 in a pot, with half the money being donated to YAA. Clive was then asked to pull the winning ticket for the other half of the money and pulled out his wife’s name! She then donated her prize money, resulting in almost £700 being raised for the charity.

YAA is incredibly grateful to the Yorkshire Dales Autograss Club for their continued support and looks forward to working with them in the future

Thank you, Yorkshire Dales Autograss! Your generosity truly makes a difference.

Joe Beecroft from Hampsthwaite North Yorkshire recently chose donations over presents for his 21st Birthday and raised a fantastic £822 for YAA. Joe was inspired after our crew was called to an incident near his home. Our aircraft landed in the field of the next-door farm after one of his friends had fallen from a height. Joe’s friend suffered a broken back, but we were pleased to hear he has now made a full recovery. Joe is also a great supporter of the annual Knaresborough Tractor Run, who have raised money for YAA since 2012, with hundreds of people travelling from far and wide to line the roads and watch the impressive display of hundreds of tractors in action. Clare Deacon, Regional Fundraiser explained ‘Joe has generously chosen to support YAA instead of receiving 21st Birthday Gifts. His kindness will help to keep the helicopters flying. Thank you to Joe and his family and friends for your amazing support’.

On a chilly December day in 2024, Laura Laycock and her friends laced up their running shoes to tackle the Ribble Valley 10k, a popular and notoriously fast course in Clitheroe, all while raising essential funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Together, they’ve raised over £1000 to support the Charity and every step they took was a tribute to love, friendship, and the strength of community.

The decision to support YAA was made by Laura, after her daughter’s 10-year-old best friend Thomas, tragically died in a quadbike accident on his family farm in June 2024.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Critical Care Team provided vital medical assistance, before Thomas was flown to Leeds General Infirmary however sadly his condition deteriorated over the following days.

North Regional Fundraiser Clare Deacon said, “ We are very grateful to Laura and her friends for taking part in the Ribble Valley 10k event to raise funds for YAA. This generous donation will play a significant role in enabling Yorkshire Air Ambulance to continue its life-saving missions across the region.”

A determined group of 20 staff from Evelyn & Partners, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, took their fundraising to new heights by climbing Snowdon in September and raised a total of £1,859 plus £447.25 in gift aid for YAA.

 This was then generously match-funded by the company bringing the total amount raised to an amazing £4,165.25.

The team’s efforts extend beyond mountains, and many participated in the Leeds 10K this summer, continually supporting our mission.

Helen Berriman, West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for YAA, met with the team and expressed heartfelt appreciation for their contribution, saying, “We want to thank Evelyn & Partners for their generosity and support. This donation will play a significant role in enabling Yorkshire Air Ambulance to continue its life-saving missions across the region.“

Kelling Group have supported YAA since 2021, alongside Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm and 4Louis. 

The team are full of innovative fundraising ideas and has taken on the infamous Yorkshire 3 Peaks and Land’s End to John O’Groats challenges, bake sales and raffles.

Kelling Group have raised £31,800 to date with each charity receiving £10,600. 

Helen Berriman, West Yorkshire Interim Regional Fundraising Manager for YAA said “We’re thrilled to have such committed support. Support from our local businesses is vital to help us continue our valuable work, and we’re so grateful to Kelling Group for helping to give back to their local community.”

for YAA said “We’re thrilled to have such committed support. Support from our local businesses is vital to help us continue our valuable work, and we’re so grateful to Kelling Group for helping to give back to their local community.”

The ‘Silverbacks’ held their annual golf day at Keighley Golf Club, West Yorkshire this summer. The Golf Day was set up in 2008 following the tragic loss of Trace Aldersey. The majority of people who attended the first golf day were connected to Wharfedale Rugby Club where Trace played, and most lived in the Skipton-Grassington area and were very aware of the lifesaving work of YAA.

Trace’s family chose YAA as the charity they would like to support from the proceeds of the events and the Silverback Golf Day has now raised a staggering £42,631.20 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Mick Riddiough, a friend of Trace’s said ‘As time has gone on, choosing YAA has seemed a more and more relevant choice as we all either know or know of someone you have helped. We are all of a similar mind, and will be supporting YAA as long as we are able to carry on the golf days’.

YAA are truly grateful for their ongoing generous support and helping keep our helicopters flying and saving lives across Yorkshire.

This summer, Sam Turner & Sons, based in North Yorkshire, rekindled the joyous spirit of “Sammy’s Fun Day,” inviting local businesses and the community to unite for a worthy cause.

The event was free entry and with attractions including inflatables, a petting zoo, and even a magician, there was excitement for all ages.

All the local businesses involved kindly donated a percentage of their takings to YAA and our team were grateful to attend with a YAA stall. Sam Turner & Sons also held a huge raffle on the day to help raise vital funds.

The event was a huge success, and Pilot Percy and YAA North Community Fundraiser Michelle were presented with a generous donation of £2,253.07 from their very own Sammy. Before COVID-19, Sammy’s Fun Day was an annual event and this year’s revival has taken Sam Turner & Son’s total-to-date to an impressive £9, 416.65.

Reflecting on the event’s success, Michelle said “What a wonderful day! We would like to thank everyone who participated, donated, and supported YAA through Sammy’s Fun Day. These funds play a crucial role in supporting Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s life-saving missions.”

Over 200 people came together this summer to take part in a darts tournament at Rolls Royce Social Club in Barnoldswick, raising £1400 for YAA.

 The decision to support Yorkshire Air Ambulance was made by event organiser Vicky Mara. Vicky’s son, Oliver, was helped by YAA after a life-changing road traffic accident in West Marton, where the car he was travelling with collided with a 40-tonne lorry. Oliver is still undergoing rehabilitation.

 Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Critical Care Team provided vital medical assistance before Oliver was transported by land ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary.

 Vicky her husband John and their other son Declan organised a full-day darts tournament, with a raffle and entertainment and said it was always their intention to give something back and show their appreciation to YAA for saving their son’s life. 

They would like to thank friends and family for their continued support. 

North Regional Fundraiser Clare Deacon said, “ We are very grateful to Vicky for organising this fantastic event to raise funds for YAA. This generous donation will play a significant role in enabling Yorkshire Air Ambulance to continue its life-saving missions across the region.”

A team from Murton Park, home of the Yorkshire Museum of Farming near York, walked the length of Hadrian’s Wall this summer, dressed in Roman period military clothing including Roman weaponry and kit, to raise money for the maintenance of the Living History sites at the park and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The Hadrian’s Wall team walked the full 86 miles of the wall over 7 days, stopping at key Roman points of interest along the way. The days were long and the terrain was challenging but the walkers kept smiling throughout.

Tessa Klemz, Regional Fundraising Manager (North and East) said “We just love the creativity of this challenge! Thank you so much to the team at Murton Park for their support, their donation will significantly aid our life-saving missions across Yorkshire.”

We would like to say thank you to the following trusts for their support over the last twelve months, which has helped towards the cost of aviation fuel, keeping our air ambulance helicopters flying across Yorkshire and saving lives every day:

• Shaw Lands Trust
• Sir James Reckitt Charity
• Whitwam Family Charitable Foundation
• Bawtry Parish Council
• Joseph & Annie Cattle Trust
• Westfield Health
• Hull & East Riding Charitable Trust
• Cutlers Company Charitable Trust
• CP Thackray General Charitable Trust, Leeds
• Kirkburton Parish Council