Archives: Team Members

Neale Jacobs

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

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

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 Barmby

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

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!

Tessa Klemz

Tessa Klemz is our Regional Fundraising Manager for the North and East regions. She joined the Charity in 2019 as North Region Community Fundraiser and was promoted to Regional Fundraiser in 2022. Tessa was promoted to her current role in January 2024.

“I love the variety of the role and never knowing what each day is going to bring, who I’m going to speak to and whether I’m going to come home with £2, £20, £200 or £2,000. I enjoy meeting all sorts of people with wonderful stories (some not always so happy) and having the opportunity to travel around beautiful North Yorkshire…whatever the weather. YAA is such a well-respected and valued charity”, said Tessa.

In her spare time, Tessa enjoys walking her dog Widget and trying to keep up with her sons on their mountain bikes. She also likes cooking, pilates, gardening, music and travel.

Interesting fact: Tessa volunteered at a self-help project charity in KwaZulu Natal in South Africa for six months in her early 20s.  There were sewing projects, pre-school feeding schemes, poultry projects, brick-making projects and vegetable planting.  One time she was driving on her own to a village and got stuck in the mud about ½ mile from her destination.  The local tractor had a flat tyre so a very friendly local organised his four donkeys who managed to pull her out.

Rob Scott

Rob Scott first joined the Charity as a volunteer in 2015 and then became one of our East Yorkshire Fundraisers in 2018. Was was promoted to East Regional Fundraiser and is now responsible for overseeing all the fundraising in the East Yorkshire region, working alongside Kevin and Keiron.

“I enjoy getting out and about at all the shows and events and meeting the people that support us and help to keep the Charity saving lives”, said Rob.

Each year Rob runs a car rally to Benidorm to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. On average they have 65-75 cars that join them every single year!

Interesting fact: Rob has been a Gritter and snowplough driver for 15 years for North Yorkshire Highways and one of his ambitions is to drive the Dalton Highway in Alaska for the winter season in a truck.

Kerry Dwyer

Kerry Dwyer is our Director of Public Fundraising and has worked for YAA since 2009. Kerry is responsible for our fundraising teams, implementing fundraising strategies, and ensuring we reach our fundraising targets.

Kerry joined the Charity in 2009 as one of our first Community Fundraisers and has a background in events co-ordination.

When asked what she loves the most about her job, Kerry said: “The passion and dedication of our brilliant supporters, I continue to be humbled by it, the amazing lifesaving work that we do, and working with such a fantastic team.”

In her spare time, Kerry enjoys spending time with her family, walking the dog, eating out, and going on holiday.

Interesting fact: Kerry once had dinner with Ewan McGregor…along with 500 other people

Kevin Hutchinson

Kevin Hutchinson is one of our East Region Community Fundraisers and has been working for the Charity since 2016. Before joining YAA Kevin worked in the hospitality industry as a qualified chef.

Speaking of what he loves about his job, Kevin said: “I enjoy attending the varied range of events across the region, working alongside our amazing volunteers, and meeting the public who support YAA and the patients YAA has helped.”

In his spare time, Kevin enjoys socialising with friends, Saturday night’s out to see live entertainment and catching up on our TV show Helicopter ER.

Interesting fact: Kevin’s first couple of days working full time for the Charity was the same time we unveiled our new Airbus H145 helicopter G-YAAC at Nostell ASU for the first time.

Caroline Myers

Caroline Myers is our Legacies Manager and has been working at the Charity since 2016, having previously worked in Marketing and Communications in the manufacturing sector.

“I enjoy meeting donors and finding out why they are so passionate about Yorkshire Air Ambulance”, said Caroline.

When she’s not working, Caroline enjoys walking, volunteering, and cooking.

Angela Vyas

Angela Vyas is covering as our West Regional Fundraiser, whilst Helen Berriman is covering as Interim Regional Fundraising Manager (West & South). Angela’s usual role is as one of our West Community Fundraisers, covering the whole of the West Yorkshire region coordinating our in-store events and work with local community groups.

“I really like that the role is varied and that I’m able to network and raise money for such an important cause. I also enjoy going to events that I would have never heard about such as Jazz festivals”, said Angela.

In her spare time, Angela enjoys walking, swimming and meeting new people.

Interesting fact: In her spare time Angela loves personalising items, be it clothes or ornaments.