Latest news with #GNAAS
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Air ambulance issues appeal after falling behind on fundraising goals
An air ambulance charity has issued an appeal for support after falling behind on fundraising targets. The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) relies on donations from the public to remain operational - but this year's fundraising appeal has raised only half the funds that were achieved by this point last year. Joe Garcia, interim chief executive officer at GNAAS, said: "The past few years have been challenging for GNAAS, and as time goes on, our aircraft are aging and the cost of running this service is increasing, whilst charitable support across all charities is dropping. "In 2024, we were predicted to run at a deficit and go into our limited reserves just to keep us flying, and we don't want history to repeat itself." GNAAS responds to around 2,000 incidents each year across the North East, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. So far this year, its teams have been called out nearly 800 times. The charity also relies on volunteers to help promote its work across the more than 8,000 square miles it covers. GNAAS needs £9.3 million a year to fund its service, which equates to slightly more than £25,200 per day. A spokesperson said: "In response to the drop in donations, the charity is reminding the public to not take their service for granted, as without their support, they could potentially stop flying, and lives would be lost." For more information, or to donate, visit
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Upperby Primary School raises money for Great North Air Ambulance
Children at a Carlisle primary school have helped to raise more than £2,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance (GNAAS). Upperby Primary School proudly took part in the 'A Mile 4 Miles' school challenge to drum up funds for the vital service. The challenge was for the children to walk a mile in the school ground to raise money and to celebrate GNAAS' mascot Miles' birthday. Headteacher of Upperby Primary School Paula Burns praised the 'incredible generosity' of the family and friends of the children. 'Deborah Usher from GNAAS visited the school to lead an assembly, explaining to the children why the service is so vital—and how any one of us might need it one day,' said Paula. 'Pupils completed their mile in creative and energetic ways, from hopping and jumping to wearing funny hats and wigs. 'The event was a fun and inclusive way to get everyone moving while raising awareness for an important cause. 'Thanks to the incredible generosity of families and friends, the school raised an amazing £2,116. 'Last Friday, Deborah returned to the school, where the Head Boy and Head Girl proudly presented her with the cheque. 'Well done to everyone involved in supporting such a worthy cause. The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) rescues hundreds of severely injured or ill patients every year throughout the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria. Their doctor-led critical care teams deliver life-saving treatments at the scene of the incident whether that is on a fell top, a roadside or in a city centre. The charity responded to 2,083 call outs in 2024 alone, via their helicopter and emergency response vehicles, where they performed treatments and procedures which can mean the difference between life or death.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woman dies in village crash, police say
A woman has died in a crash in a village, police have confirmed. Emergency services were called to Cookgate in Nunthorpe, near Middlesbrough, at about 12:37 BST following reports of a traffic collision. The road was closed for hours but reopened later in the evening. Cleveland Police said the woman's family had requested privacy while they grieved the loss of their loved one. In a statement, the force said: "Our thoughts remain with the woman's family and friends at this extremely difficult time." Teams from North East Ambulance Service and the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) attended along with police. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Related internet links
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Convinced I was dying' - Cumbrian brewery blast victim reunited with doctor
A MAN who sustained life-threatening injuries in a Workington brewery explosion last year has been reunited with the doctor who saved him. Leigh Taylor, a 44-year old from Seaton, was working on May 13, 2024, when he was engulfed by a fireball and badly burned in a blast. Recalling the incident, Mr Taylor said: "I remember being blown across the room and looking at it in disbelief. "My ears were ringing, and smoke was billowing, and then I just crawled out of the rubble. "I could see my hands were red raw, like slabs of meat with all the skin hanging off." North West Ambulance Service, Cumbria Police, and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene, in addition to teams from the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) and North West Air Ambulance Charity. Mr Taylor said: "I was convinced I was dying, and that's what I was expecting, to die, because the last thing I remember was them cutting the sleeve off my coat, and then I woke up five weeks later." He was put into a medically induced coma by the doctor and paramedic team from GNAAS and airlifted to Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle. Leigh Taylor in hospital a few weeks after the blast (Image: Supplied) The father-of-two underwent skin grafts after sustaining 40 per cent burns to his face, legs, and hands, and he also suffered a cardiac arrest while in a coma. Mr Taylor spent a total of nine weeks in hospital and was full of praise for the staff at the RVI who remarked that his recovery has been faster compared to other people of a similar age with similar injuries. He said: "The care at Newcastle's RVI was unbelievable, they were just fantastic. "My burns nurse always tells people at the hospital that I'm not your average burn survivor, which makes me quite proud." Mr Taylor still suffers from a lung inhalation injury, and despite doctors initially telling him it would be at least three months before he could resume climbing the fells, he defied those odds by reaching his first peak 37 days after leaving hospital. Leigh Taylor with the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) helicopter (Image: Supplied) He said: "The incident has given me a new perspective on life and it's changed me as a person. "It's kind of forced me on this journey of self-reflection and healing." Less than a year after the incident, Mr Taylor visited GNAAS' base in Langwathby to meet doctor Patrick Duncan, one of the medics who treated him on scene. He also brought his dog Taco, a Cocker Spaniel cross Kelpie, who was in the same building at the time of the explosion, but in a different room. He said: "She normally roamed around wherever I went, but that day for some reason I locked her in the office, so she wasn't by my side when it happened. "She's a lucky girl." During Mr Taylor's visit to GNAAS' base, he had the opportunity to discuss his incident with Dr Duncan and find out more information about what happened in the aftermath. Dr Duncan said: "I've attended many incidents since joining GNAAS, but Leigh's case was certainly a memorable one. "Considering it's been less than a year since the incident, Leigh looks really well compared to when we last saw him, and it was a pleasure to meet him again and find out how he's getting on." Mr Taylor added: "Patrick and the rest of the team at GNAAS were the first link in the chain that saved my life that day. "They stabilised me on scene and flew me quickly to the RVI in Newcastle which gave me the best possible chance of survival. "The job they do is really admirable and I have a lot of respect for them. "You never think you'll need GNAAS, but when you do, you'll be grateful that this service exists." According to GNAAS, it needs to raise £9.3m a year to remain operational. The charity recently launched an appeal to help them raise these funds. Find out more about the appeal on their website at
BBC News
28-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Manx Care agrees new air ambulance contract after funding concerns
A contract that provides people on the Isle of Man with emergency medical care and transfers to the UK by helicopter has been extended for a service, run by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), had been in doubt after Manx Care previously said it could not commit to the funding needed to maintain the healthcare provider has confirmed the parties had reached an agreement on a further 12-month contract, which is set to begin on 1 Care said it would now fund the service "based on a per mission costing" only, while GNAAS had committed "to strengthening fundraising activities on the island". The GNAAS has offered an emergency response that is additional to a fixed wing aircraft at the airport and coastguard services since March in March 2025, Manx Care said it could not continue to fund the £20,833 monthly retainer for the service on top of the £7,000 mobilisation fee per retainer was initially funded through the Healthcare Transformation Fund, but was transferred to Manx Care in April last healthcare body said the details of of the new call out fee "would not be disclosed on the grounds of commercial sensitivity". 'Vital partnership' From March 2022 to December 2024, the air ambulance service was called out on 60 occasions. A total of 29 patients were then transported off island, with 31 cases managed healthcare body's chief executive Teresa Cope said she was pleased they had been able to "find a solution to sustain this vital partnership to benefit the Manx community and deliver transparency of costs and value for money"."We look forward to working with them closely in conjunction with our fixed wing air ambulance service and HM Coastguard resource," she chief executive Joe Garcia said: "We are delighted at the continuation of this partnership to support the people of the Isle of Man." Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
