Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has received a £300,000 donation from the HELP Appeal to support the construction of a new helipad at its new site.
The donation will go towards the £415,000 required for the helipad, which will enable aircraft to take off and land directly from the new site, reducing response times across the region.
Construction is expected to begin at the planned Northern Air Base in Skipton-on-Swale soon, following recent planning approval.
The funding was formally presented at YAA’s current Nostell base by HELP Appeal Chief Executive Robert Bertram and Trustee Arthur Vestey.
The new helipad will be the 13th air ambulance base supported by the HELP Appeal, the UK’s only charity dedicated to funding NHS and air ambulance helipads.
Robert Bertram, Chief Executive, HELP Appeal, said:
“We are proud to donate £300,000 towards the construction of a new helipad at Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s new base.
"This funding is a direct investment in the lifesaving work carried out every day by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance team.
"By supporting the construction of this helipad, we’re helping to ensure they can continue responding swiftly and effectively to emergencies across the region.
"This donation has only been made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our HELP Appeal supporters, whose commitment to enhancing emergency care makes projects like this possible.”
The new base, located 3.5 miles from RAF Topcliffe, will include modern facilities such as crew accommodation and training spaces, and is designed to ensure rapid access to any part of Yorkshire within 20 minutes.
Steve Waudby, YAA Director of Aviation, said:
"We are incredibly grateful to the HELP Appeal for their outstanding generosity.
"Having a purpose-built helipad at our new base is crucial to the efficiency of our operations.
"It will enable our crews to mobilise quickly, ensuring that we are always ready to respond to emergencies across Yorkshire.
"This donation takes us one step closer to achieving our vision for a world-class facility that will serve the region for decades to come.”
The HELP Appeal has funded over 55 helipads nationwide, including several at Yorkshire hospitals such as Leeds General and Scarborough General.
Doggy Days set to return to Ilkley Lido
Foley Films returns to Ilkley with new autumn programme
Spellman Care named Health and Wellbeing Business of the Year
Runners for Great North Run raise over £17,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Sir Gareth Southgate helps raise £23,000 for Martin House at Ilkley golf event
Ashlands Bonfire to celebrate 40th anniversary with biggest-ever fireworks display
Off-peak roadworks begin on A65 near Ilkley
Ilkley businesses become Gold Sponsor of Clarke Foley Community Hub
Ilkley takeaway named among Tripadvisor’s top 10% worldwide
McDonald's near Ilkley seeks earlier opening hours
Ilkley care home resident celebrates 106th birthday
Fresh handmade bread coming to Three Little Birds in Ilkley
Former Ilkley bistro owner teases new venture on the High Street
New Ilkley travel agency to celebrate opening with special event
Mental health campaign launched in memory of son
Yorkshire writers in spotlight at Ilkley Literature Festival
Annual golf day raises £4,383 for Airedale Hospital
The Ilkley Cow enters search for UK's Favourite Local Business
New Ilkley care home announces opening date following 11 month refurbishment
Ilkley team raises £3,300+ for The Principle Trust in Three Peaks challenge
