Owen is Chief Pilot for the YAA and he joined our charity in 2019, having previously worked for another air ambulance charity.
When asked what he loves about his job, Owen said: “The extended night HEMS hours and the family environment.”
In his spare time he enjoys running and coaching junior Rugby.
Interesting fact: This is not the first time Owen has worked for the YAA! He was initially employed to fly out of Topcliffe in 2012.
Colin Hawkesworth is one of our YAA pilots and he joined the charity in 2019. Prior to working for the YAA, he worked for the National Police Air Service.
When asked what he loves about his job, Colin said: “The people I meet and the lovely countryside of North Yorkshire.”
In his spare time Colin enjoys walking, cycling, model making, cooking and watching Youtube videos.
Interesting fact: Colin is an ex-army helicopter display pilot.
Helen Berriman is our West Regional Fundraiser. Helen joined the Charity in January 2020 as one of our West Yorkshire Community Fundraisers, having previously worked in the Hospitality industry for the last 16 years and was promoted to West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser in 2021.
“I joined YAA following the birth of my third child. Whilst on maternity leave I had time to think about the things I enjoyed doing and one of the things that stood out was the fundraising involvement I had working in hotels. I am very fortunate and proud to work for Yorkshire Air Ambulance”, said Helen.
In her spare time, Helen enjoys spending time with her family and book folding, where you create pictures/images by folding the pages of a book.
Interesting fact: Helen appeared on ‘Don’t tell the Bride’. Whilst working at Oulton Hall, Leeds in 2010 Helen was the wedding coordinator and was the successful venue chosen to host the wedding reception. Helen spent the full day filming a 5 minute show round and negotiation meeting. The couple chose to arrive by helicopter and Helen had to arrange for the golf course to be closed for their arrival.
Paul joined the ambulance service in 1999 as an Ambulance Technician (now called EMT). In 2003 he became a qualified Paramedic, being promoted in 2007 to a Clinical Team Educator. He was then promoted to the role of Clinical Team Leader in 2010. The two positions then merged in 2012 to become a Clinical Supervisor. He was asked to undertake a secondment as a Locality Manager in Doncaster before returning as a Clinical Supervisor prior to joining the YAA. In 2015 he was successful in his assessments and obtained a place on the unit, becoming a permanent member of staff in 2017.
Paul decided to join the ambulance service after spending several years volunteering for the British Red Cross, becoming a Duty Manager at the young age of 18.
“I can honestly say this is the best job I’ve ever had within the ambulance service. The ability to look after the most critically ill and injured patients is what Paramedics want to do, however many don’t get the chance to work with such a dedicated and professional team such as YAA. The close relationship between the crews and charity staff speaks volumes through how our HEMS operations have developed over the years.”
In his spare time, Paul enjoys family movie nights, camping, walking, doing martial arts and keeping fit with his young daughter, Eleanor. He is also known to attempt to play the guitar too.
Interesting facts:
Paul has been training in martial arts since he was 7 years old, grading in over seven different styles and obtaining a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu.
Matty McCabe is one of our HEMS Specialist Paramedics – Critical Care, and he first joined the charity in April 2019. He previously worked at Yorkshire Ambulance Service as a Paramedic at Wakefield and Clinical Supervisor in Huddersfield and Wakefield and prior to joining YAS, he worked in West Midlands as a Paramedic.
“I love being able to meet lots of different people from all over Yorkshire and beyond, whilst out on emergency calls. This could be up a hill, on a peak, on the beach, at the side of the road or in their own home! The opportunity to work with some very experienced Doctors, Paramedics and pilots is also an experience I do not take for granted and i am trying to learn as much as i can during my secondment here. Flying over Yorkshire on a sunny day is also pretty spectacular – we do live in a fantastic place after all”, said Matty.
In his spare time, Matty enjoys watching sports – Rugby, Cricket, Football, Boxing, Running, Hiking and going to Headingley Stadium to watch the Rhinos.
Clare Deacon is one of our Community Fundraisers in the North region. She joined the Charity in January 2020, initially working in our North region as Community Fundraiser, before moving to West in 2022. Clare moved back to North as Regional Fundraiser in January 2024.
“I enjoy working with people. Spreading the message of what we do whilst often meeting people who have been lifted is heart-warming and constantly reminds me of the need for such an important service”, said Clare.
In her spare time Clare is the chair of her local pre-school and likes being involved with the area she lives in. She also enjoys the great outdoors – working in and around Yorkshire is a dream come true for Clare.
Interesting fact: Clare ran her own busy Post Office for thirteen years. She was one of only 500 Customer Relationship Managers in the whole network, of 11,500 offices.
Neale is our Director of Operations. He is responsible for the day-to-day running of our airbases, offices, IT requirements and administration – generally anything that is fixed to the ground.
Neale works closely with external agencies including the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, National Police Air Service (NPAS), the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) & Local Mountain Rescue Services.
Neale joined the Charity in 2003 and has held various posts in that time. Before joining the Charity he worked in the insurance industry and automotive industry. Although not originally from Yorkshire Neale moved to the county in 1996 and is proud that his children are born and bred Yorkshire folk.
Jill Pukacz is our executive PA and she provides administrative support to our Board of Trustees and our charity office staff.
Jill joined the charity in 2011 following a varied career in the housing and financial services sector.
Speaking of her role, Jill said: “It’s a refreshing change to work in the Charity sector, having been in the financial services world for much of my working life. I enjoy the diversity of my role and supporting and working with a wonderful team of people to provide a first class air ambulance service to the county of Yorkshire.”
During her spare time, Jill enjoys walking, reading and spending time with her family.
Interesting fact: Jill has lived in South, East and West Yorkshire – three of our regions!
Louise Shorrock is our Office Manager. She provides guidance and support for our administrative team and oversees the general running of our Cayley House office.
Speaking of her role, Louise said: “I love that the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a local charity and what I do really makes a difference to people’s lives.”
Louise owns a horse and in her spare time enjoys horse riding and spending time outdoors walking her dog. She is also a season ticket holder at Huddersfield Town!
Interesting fact: The Fire Brigade once had to come rescue Louise and her pony when they both ended up in the canal and it made the local news. Thankfully both were unhurt!
Abby is our Director of Marketing & Communications. She is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Marketing & Communications department at the Charity.
Anything with the YAA brand on falls under Abby’s responsibility along with the website, social media channels, internal and external communications, PR, Media, all our literature, merchandise, and events that we organise, amongst other duties.
She is supported in the Marketing Department by a great team – Leanne Seward (Creative Marketing & Brand Manager), Angela Brearley (Digital Marketing Manager), Adele Garland (Social Media Executive), and Rebecca Martin (Marketing Assistant).
Abby joined the Yorkshire Air Ambulance in December 2008 after previously working in advertising agencies and as a Marketing Manager for a Construction company. Not a native of Yorkshire, Abby now regards herself as an honorary Yorkshire lass after marrying a Yorkshire lad. When not at work, Abby is kept busy with her young son and daughter.
Interesting fact: Abby was once featured in the Sunday Mail after she won an award at High School. The article was about a controversial scene in the Titanic movie when William Murdoch, the ship’s First Officer was portrayed as taking his own life when actually this wasn’t the case. Both Abby and William Murdoch are from Dalbeattie in Scotland. The town was in an uproar when the movie was released, which also happened to be the same year Abby won the William Murdoch Memorial medal! The controversy was picked up by national media, resulting in an article in the Sunday Mail by Dorothy Grace-Elder which featured Abby!
Vickie Cowan is our Regional Fundraising Manager (West and South) and has worked for the Charity since 2016. Vickie joined the Charity as West Yorkshire Community Fundraiser, becoming West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser in 2018 and Regional Fundraising Manager in November 2021. Vickie’s role involves overseeing all of the fundraising in West and South Yorkshire, working closely with West and South Regional and Community Fundraisers.
“I love the variety of my role and working with so many different people. My favourite part of my job has to be when we’re out and about and we hear stories from our ex-patients! There isn’t a day that goes by when we aren’t reminded about how vital the service is and the difference it can make”, said Vickie.
In her spare time, Vickie enjoys travelling and planning her next trip away. She also enjoys baking cakes and going to the gym afterwards so she doesn’t feel quite as guilty and she’s also a Leader at her local Girls’ Brigade.
Interesting fact: Mickey Mouse used to be Vickie’s boss as she spent a summer working at Disney World in Florida!
