Plans submitted for upgrade to Cumbrian base

The charity is hoping to extend its base at Langwathby, near Penrith, to include space for research and training as well as providing essential facilities for its operational aircrew.

Plans have been submitted to Eden District Council for the replacement of GNAAS’ existing modular units with new ones measuring 22m x 6m.

GNAAS is the only air ambulance based in the county and Grahame Pickering MBE, the charity’s chief executive, said these plans were in part responding to the continued demand for the organisation’s services.

He said: “The people of Cumbria have taken this air ambulance to their heart, and as long as they continue to support us we want to be based here in the centre of the county, ready to respond 365 days a year.

“We attended 354 incidents in Cumbria alone during the last financial year, so it’s vital that we are able to offer our expert clinicians and pilots a base that allows them to develop their skills, to welcome visitors and to catch up on their other project work between these high-intensity missions. We believe this facility will allow us to do that.”

GNAAS is a charity and is reliant on donations to survive. To find out how you can help, please visit www.gnaas.com