Archives: Community TYs

London Marathon participant Sophie Bradbury has successfully raised an impressive £1656.40 in support of Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA), a charity that held a special place in the heart of her late running mentor. Sophie’s fundraising efforts stand as a testament to her dedication, community spirit, and determination to make a difference in her mentor’s memory.

Sophie’s journey in the world of running commenced in 2018, as she embraced the sport as a new challenge. Seeking guidance and camaraderie, she found herself at the Askern District Running Club, where she crossed paths with Dave Collingwood. A seasoned running mentor with a wealth of coaching experience, Dave was known for his unwavering support for runners of all skill levels.

The passing of Dave Collingwood at the end of 2022 sent shockwaves through the local running community. Inspired by his memory and the impact he had on her running journey, Sophie decided to run the 26.2 miles of the London Marathon in his honour, with the aim of raising funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance—a cause close to Dave and his family’s heart.

Sophie’s dedication, tireless training and fundraising efforts culminated in an impressive total of £1656.40 raised for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. These funds are earmarked to directly support the YAA’s mission of providing vital medical intervention and rapid transportation to patients in need – saving lives across the Yorkshire region.

At an emotional event that brought together members of the Askern Running Club, Sophie’s family, and Dave’s family, South Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for YAA, Laura Lawton, had the honour of meeting Sophie in person to collect the funds raised and thank her for her efforts.

Laura expressed her heartfelt admiration for Sophie’s unwavering commitment, stating, “Sophie’s dedication to honouring Dave’s memory while supporting Yorkshire Air Ambulance is truly inspiring. Her fundraising achievement will undoubtedly have a meaningful impact on our ability to continue saving lives across the region.“

Sophie’s journey, from a personal challenge to a meaningful tribute, encapsulates the power of individuals coming together to create a positive impact. Yorkshire Air Ambulance commends Sophie’s remarkable achievement and extends gratitude to all those who supported her on this heartfelt mission.

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Biffa Waste Services, a leading waste management company in the UK, has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to safety and community support through a unique charity initiative.

As a testament to their commitment to corporate social responsibility, Biffa empowers its staff to select a charity of their choosing to receive a charitable donation in the event of a year with no recorded accidents.

Following a year of exemplary Health and Safety performance at their Leeds depot, Biffa proudly donated a substantial sum to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).

YAA’s West Yorkshire fundraising team recently visited the Biffa depot to express their gratitude and collect the generous donation. During the visit, the YAA team was presented with a cheque for an impressive £780 —which will go towards funding the charity’s daily operational costs.

Regional Fundraiser, for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Helen Berriman, said, “We are immensely grateful to the Biffa team at Leeds for their generous donation to Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Their unwavering commitment to their Health and Safety charity scheme has not only made a positive impact on their workplace but also on the lives of those we serve.

This contribution will enable us to continue providing critical care and rapid response to those in need across the region. Thank you to everyone at Biffa for your incredible support and for making Yorkshire Air Ambulance your charity of choice!”.

On 2nd July, the picturesque countryside of Nidderdale buzzed with excitement as tractors gathered for the Nidderdale Tractor Run. Fuelled by a shared passion for all things agriculture and a desire to support a worthy cause, tractor drivers united to make a difference and raise vital funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).

The Nidderdale Tractor Run showcased the true power of community spirit, raising an impressive £2000.17. This success was a testament to the incredible generosity of those who participated and their dedication to supporting the vital work of YAA.

Amidst the sea of tractor enthusiasts, Derek Rand stood out as an extraordinary contributor. With determination and compassion, he single-handedly raised £500.00, significantly bolstering the final total. As a devoted Freemason, Derek had witnessed firsthand the profound impact of YAA’s lifesaving missions, inspiring him to take action. His call for support resonated with friends and family, who wholeheartedly rallied behind his cause, offering generous sponsorships and unwavering encouragement.

Looking ahead to the future, Derek remains resolute in his commitment to the cause, determined to double his fundraising efforts for the upcoming Tractor Run.

To the event organiser, Simon Dickinson, and all the dedicated participants, including Derek Rand, Yorkshire Air Ambulance extends its heartfelt gratitude. Their collective efforts have and will continue to save lives for those in need.

In a heartwarming display of community support and canine compassion, Woofy Treats in Halifax successfully raised £119 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA). The funds were raised through an exciting raffle, offering participants the chance to win a luxurious dog treat hamper, complete with a pull rope dog toy and a prize for an hour-long “Woofy Workout” on their dog agility course. The event gained a tremendous response, as dog lovers and supporters of YAA came together to contribute to this pawsome cause.

The raffle draw took place at the YAA headquarters and was pulled by a member of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team. The lucky winners of the dog treat hamper and the Woofy Workout were overjoyed at their prizes, but the true victory lay in the generous donations collected for the vital work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Rachel, the dedicated force behind Woofy Treats, was the driving force behind this charitable endeavour. For her, supporting YAA held a profound personal significance, as the charity was close to her late mother’s heart. Inspired by her mother’s memory, Rachel is now committed to organising monthly raffle draws to continue raising funds for YAA. It’s a testament to the power of love and remembrance.

As the initiative gains momentum, the future looks promising for the ongoing partnership between Woofy Treats and YAA, working hand in paw to make a difference in the lives of others.

Thank you to everyone at DHL in Manton Wood who have raised an incredible £500 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, following their valentines raffle.

The team are huge fans of the hit series Helicopter ER, of which, Yorkshire Air Ambulance are stars, which formed the basis for the charitable donation.

YAA Community Fundraising Manager, Vickie Bowden, recently went to visit the branch and was presented with a cheque for the money raised.

Without aviation fuel to power our helicopters, we wouldn’t be going anywhere fast!

Over the last 12 months The Joseph & Annie Cattle Trust, Westfield Health, Shaw Lands Trust, The Hull & East Riding Charitable Trust, The Company of Cutlers Charitable Trust, and The Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge have all made donations towards our fuel costs, and we would like to say a heartfelt thank you. Their donations have helped to keep our air ambulance helicopters in the air, saving lives across Yorkshire every day.

Read More YAA Community Thank You messages

Thank you to everyone at the Scarborough branch of NFU Mutual who held a charity Party on the Farm event and raised an incredible £8000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The event comprised of a super evening hosted by the Stephenson family and a charity auction organised by GM Stevenson LTD alongside York Auction Mart.

YAA Community Fundraiser Keiron Hardwick recently went to visit the branch and was presented with a cheque for the money raised.

Read More YAA Community Thank You messages

We would like to say a big thank you to Thirsk Ladies Club for their fantastic fundraising last year. The committee organised a very successful Summer lunch at Thirsk Auction Mart in July, raising over £1500 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. They raised further funds by holding an Autumn Raffle and collecting donations from people who weren’t able to attend the events.

They recently presented us with a cheque for the fantastic amount raised, £3957.20

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, to all those who attended the events and enjoyed a great afternoon and to all the businesses who supported the events with prize donations.

Read More YAA Community Thank You messages

We would like to say thank you to the members of the Beverley Scooter Club who held a Northern Soul Night and raised £750 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Members of the club recently gathered in Market Cross, Beverley, with their scooters to meet YAA Regional Fundraiser Rob Scott and present him with a cheque for the amount raised.

The club will be holding further fundraising events in aid of YAA throughout 2023.

Read More YAA Community Thank You messages

Thank you to everyone at BayThorpe Shed in Robin Hoods Bay near Whitby for their very generous donation of £1000.

The team at BayThorpe Shed raise money by making and mending wooden items and also running a car park, donating funds raised to various charities.

Our Community Fundraiser, Keiron Hardwick went to visit them recently and was presented with a cheque for £1000.

Read more YAA Community Thank You Messages

A huge thank you to SLR Consulting Ltd, in Sheffield, who voted for Yorkshire Air Ambulance to receive £800 from the Community Fund. They voted for YAA saying ‘It’s a very worthy cause’.

Our team had a wonderful time visiting their offices and chatting with them about the difference their donation will make.

Photo: Service Line Administrator Assistant Marie Keenan and Process Engineer Gianluca Santoro from SLR Consulting, presenting a cheque for the donation to our Regional Fundraising Manager (West & South) Vickie Bowden.

Mark and Jean Sayle from Gawthorne, Ossett, decided to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary with donations to Yorkshire Air Ambulance. When they held a party to celebrate 50 years of marriage, instead of gifts, they asks friends and family to make donations to YAA. As well as this, they have also done two car boot sales and donated the money they made to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

We would like to thank Mark and Jean for choosing to support Yorkshire Air Ambulance and wish them a very happy Golden Wedding Anniversary.

Read more YAA Community Thank You’s.