February may be the shortest month of the year, but our Team Green supporters made every single day count!
Despite the winter chill, generous individuals from across the North went above and beyond to raise vital funds for their air ambulance service.
Let’s take a closer look at their fundraising efforts…
She’s still got it
Doris Hetherington turned 80 last month, and she didn’t hold back on the celebrations!
Marking the milestone in style, she hosted not one but two fantastic gatherings – including a three-course lunch and a lively ride on the Bonkers Bus.
Covering the entire cost herself, Doris had just one request from her guests: instead of gifts, they chip in with donations to support our charity.
And that is how you celebrate eight decades on the planet!
A full-circle moment
12 years ago, Karl Wilkinson was airlifted from Kirkby Stephen to James Cook Hospital.
And in February he paid our Langwathby team a visit with his family by his side; he kindly presented an incredible £1,700 donation in memory of his beloved grandmother, Joyce Jackson, who passed away earlier this year.
After meeting the crew and reflecting on his own experience, Karl felt inspired to do even more. Now, he’s gearing up for a sponsored swim to raise even more vital funds to help us save more lives.
Taking the dive
Leaping out of a moving aircraft at thousands of feet might sound terrifying to most… but for GNAAS volunteer Elizabeth Bland, it was just another challenge to conquer. In fact, this wasn’t even her first time!
Taking on her second skydive, Elizabeth not only braved the skies but also raised an impressive £850, which she generously donated to support our cause.
We were thrilled to have our new volunteer Liz receive the cheque from Elizabeth – welcome to the team Liz!
Getting crafty with it
February also brought along a memorable base visit with 93-year-old John Rigg from Penrith. A talented craftsman, John has been creating beautiful wooden key rings, shoehorns, and backscratchers, all to raise funds for us.
During his visit, he even had the chance to watch the Pride of Cumbria II return to base after a call-out, and Dr Will was kind enough to give him a personal tour of the aircraft and facilities.
Over coffee, John and Will swapped stories, and in a heartwarming exchange, one of John’s handcrafted key rings was gifted to our team, in exchange for a chocolate bar.
John left with fresh inspiration and a renewed determination to create even more of his stunning wood-turned-art pieces. We can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
Not just a game of golf
We paid the team at Hexham Golf Club a visit last month, following the ongoing support of the Lady’s Captains Charity of the Year.
These fantastic ladies went above and beyond, organising events, golf days, and quizzes – all to raise vital funds for our cause.
Their enthusiasm was so contagious that even a member of the men’s team couldn’t resist joining in! He’s now gearing up for a sponsored bike ride later this year.
Thanks to their dedication, the club raised an incredible £5,770.17! We’re so grateful for their generosity and can’t wait to see what they have planned next.
A trip down memory lane
We had the privilege of welcoming former patient Kenneth McGarva and his wife, Sheila, to our Langwathby base – a visit filled with both emotion and gratitude.
In 2023, Ken was airlifted by our service after suffering serious injuries in a hit-and-run incident. He spent 10 days in an induced coma and faced weeks of recovery in the hospital, but his determination led to a truly remarkable recovery.
Base visits can be deeply moving, as they often bring back difficult memories for families. But despite the emotions of the day, Ken and Sheila have turned their journey into something incredible, raising an astounding £5,990 to support our cause. And their efforts don’t stop there… both Ken and his son are taking on the Great North Run this year!
We’re so inspired by their resilience and generosity – base visits like these remind us why we do what we do.
Dip your toes in
Lee Johnston, The Gypsy Rovers, and their generous regulars are long-time supporters of GNAAS, consistently raising funds to keep our service flying.
This year, they kicked off their fundraising efforts in style with a bracing Boxing Day dip, which raised an incredible £2,000, and we can’t wait to see what they have planned for the rest of the year!
Going the extra mile
We were delighted to welcome Tom Iredale, along with his wife Charlene and their children, Leila and George, to our Langwathby airbase, where they presented us with a mind-blowing £4,400 donation.
Tom went the extra mile… quite literally – he ran three marathons and organised a summer ball at their farm to raise the funds.
On top of his full-time farming duties, Tom has dedicated years to serving his community, previously as an active Mountain Rescue Team member and now as a retained firefighter for Cumbria Fire & Rescue.
His dedication to helping others is truly inspiring, and we’re forever grateful for his support.
Chugging along
Our volunteer Emma and her helicopter-enthusiast grandson, George, paid a special visit to Berwick Rugby Club to celebrate the success of their Christmas Tractor Run.
The event was a huge hit, bringing the community together and raising an incredible £2,102 for our charity – funds that will make a real difference in keeping our service flying.
Crafting, cooking, and caring
Natty Knitters have done it again… raising another £200 to support GNAAS!
This generous group regularly chooses our charity to benefit from their fundraising efforts, and their dedication is truly heartwarming.
Not only do they knit, but they also bake, prepare sandwiches, and serve refreshments, collecting donations from their members and visitors along the way.
When we stopped by for a visit, it just so happened to be scone week – a very happy coincidence; we left with £200 for charity and a bag full of freshly baked scones for the office – proof that kindness (and good baking) goes a long way!
Decades of dedication
For nearly 20 years, Ann Dixon from Arlecdon, near Frizington, has been tirelessly supporting our charity through her clothing collections – holding them three times a year without fail.
Ann meticulously folds every item to maximise space, ensuring each bag is packed to the brim. Her most recent collection in February, saw an incredible 304 bags ready for our clothing collection team to pick up – a testament to her hard work and generosity.
Ann, we can’t thank you enough for your dedication over the years – you truly are a GNAAS superstar.
Seeing the incredible work of our supporters fills us with gratitude and positivity – there are inspiring stories everywhere if you take a closer look.
But that wraps up February, and we have no doubt that March’s fundraising heroes will bring the same passion and dedication!
Share
