Archives: Team Members

Virginia Lloyd

Virginia left school aged 16 to work in the family textile business but returned to education in her twenties, before completing a Law degree at the Leeds Collage of Law and qualifying as a solicitor in 1987.

In 1990, along with her husband Clive, she co-founded Design & Display Limited, a specialist manufacturing business in Elland, West Yorkshire. As Sales Director, Virginia has driven the business’ success by securing long-term partnerships with several major national retailers.

In the early days of Design & Display, Virginia combined her role with a continued interest in law, acting as a concillation officer with the Law Society.

Virginia’s main passion outside work are her children Freddie and Izzy and she spends a great deal of time on her charitable interests. A music fanatic, she is Vice President of Opera North and is also involved with the visual arts and is a patron of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and The Hepworth Wakefield.

Virginia was High Sheriff of West Yorkshire in 2013/2014. In January 2014 she became a Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire and is President of the RNLI Leeds Business Branch. She was appointed to the Council of Huddersfield University in January 2015 and is a Trustee of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

In 2021, Virginia became an ambassador for the Hebden Bridge based community interest company, Ask The Question (ATQ), who aim to improve the educational outcome of children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences.

David Rose

A former newspaper and radio journalist, David’s 40-year career in marketing communications includes senior roles in the UK, the US and the Middle East. He returned to the UK from Australia in 2022 and is currently responsible for external engagement and advocacy on behalf of the University of Leeds.

In Australia David served as Head of Communications for the British High Commission in Canberra and held a variety of roles with the Australian Trade Commission, the Australian Department of Transport and Universities Australia. He is a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia and a Justice of the Peace.

He is professionally recognised for his expertise in issues management and has lectured extensively in the US and the Middle East on crisis communications handling.

David joined the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Board of Trustees in January 2024 to provide support for the Charity’s marketing communications team.

David lives just across the border in Appleby, North Lincolnshire.

Karina Tape

Meet Karina Tape, one of our South Yorkshire Community Fundraisers here at Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Karina joined our team in March 2024, bringing with her over two decades of retail and hospitality experience. With boundless enthusiasm and a knack for building connections, you can find Karina immersed in a range of fundraising activities, from organising and attending events to hosting talks, working alongside our incredible volunteers, arranging bucket collections, and ensuring our collection tins from local businesses are well taken care of.

Karina’s journey to Yorkshire Air Ambulance is deeply personal, having experienced firsthand the invaluable assistance of an Air Ambulance following an equestrian accident in 2018. This ignited her passion for the cause and inspired her to channel her skills towards making a meaningful difference in South Yorkshire. Karina shared, “Joining the charity felt like a perfect opportunity to merge my skills with my passion, contributing to a cause that holds a special place in my heart.”

Beyond her dedication to fundraising, Karina is an avid equestrian, spending her free time riding and caring for her horse, Piper, often participating in dressage competitions, and lending her time to her local riding club. Karina also has a love for photography, cooking, and baking, often making treats to enjoy on picnics with friends.

Karina once found herself face to face with Sylvester Stallone in a chance encounter in a holiday lift. On the same trip she also discovered her very own doppelganger!

Richie Campbell

Stephen Meet Richie, one of our Technical Crew Members (TCMs). Richie joined our team in February 2024. Proudly calling Sheffield home, Richie brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his role, ensuring the safety and optimal performance of our aircraft.

As a TCM Richie conducts vital pre-flight checks and procedures as well as providing valuable assistance to the Pilot during key flight phases such as take-off, approach and landing, in addition to aiding the medical team in the capacity of Emergency Care Assistant (ECA).

Before joining Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Richie served in the Royal Air Force (RAF), where he deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. As a Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner, his role was multifaceted, serving as a support medic and close support protection gunner to the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) during deployments to combat areas. His primary mission was to ensure the security and close protection of the medical team and deployed aircraft while evacuating casualties from battlefield and trauma-exposed environments.

Most recently, Richie worked as an ECA for Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS), operating from Sheffield Ambulance Station.

Beyond his professional commitments, Richie is an avid supporter of Sheffield United and dedicated his spare time to volunteering at a local animal rescue charity.

An interesting fact about Richie is that he once had the unique opportunity to share a pint with none other than Prince Harry during his time in the RAF!

Leanne Davis

Leanne Davis is one of our dedicated HEMS Paramedics who became an essential part of our crew in October 2023. Leanne’s roots are in Rotherham, where her passion for caring for the people of Yorkshire was born and bred.

Leanne’s motivation to join our team of HEMS Paramedics reflects a deep commitment to the well-being of the region’s residents. Her eagerness to attend a wide range of jobs pushes her to constantly learn and acquire new skills, highlighting her dedication. The prospect of soaring over the breathtaking landscapes of Yorkshire was also a compelling draw for Leanne.

Before joining YAA, Leanne dedicated four years of her career as a paramedic in Doncaster after completing her studies at Sheffield Hallam University in 2019. It’s worth noting that she wasn’t alone in this journey; her colleague Max, who joined YAA as a Paramedic at the same time, also graduated in the same class.

Beyond her professional life, Leanne finds joy in spending quality time with her family and her loyal canine companion, Bruno. A significant life event marked her journey to YAA, as she tied the knot while going through the interview process for her role, making the road to YAA all the more memorable. Leanne’s love for the outdoors is evident in her hobbies, which include hiking and open-water swimming. An interesting fact about Leanne is that she was part of a remarkable team of three who successfully completed the challenging English Channel swim. This accomplishment is a testament to her determination and teamwork.

Tom Chatwyn

Meet Tom Chatwyn, a highly skilled HEMS Paramedic at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, who became an integral part of our team in October 2023, before being promoted to his current role of HEMS Team Leader in October 2024. Tom’s roots are in Sheffield, but he now calls the picturesque Wharfedale valley in West Yorkshire home.

Tom’s motivation to join YAA reflects a deep desire for continued learning and a return to a frontline clinical role. After dedicating five years to education, he sought an opportunity to acquire new skills and collaborate with his colleagues in delivering high-quality critical care to the people of Yorkshire.

Tom’s extensive career in the field of paramedicine commenced in the early 2000s when he joined the London Ambulance Service. Over the years, he has contributed his expertise to various services, gathering a wealth of experience along the way. Prior to his secondment to YAA, he served as a Clinical Educator within the YAS academy, enhancing his clinical expertise.

Beyond his professional life, Tom enjoys spending time with his family and embracing the outdoors. Activities like bike riding, running, reading books, and exploring new places are close to his heart. Among his many adventures, Tom once achieved the remarkable feat of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, where the view from the summit left a lasting impression.