Charity Focus: Yorkshire Air Ambulance

Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an independent charity providing a lifesaving rapid response emergency service to 5 million people across the whole of Yorkshire. The service is operational seven days a week, 365 days a year and the Charity currently attend an average of 4 incidents every single day.

The charity was founded in 2000 and currently operate state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters –based at their Nostell Air Support Unit, near Wakefield and the other at RAF Topcliffe, near Thirsk.

YAA upgraded their fleet with two brand new H145 D3 helicopters in 2023 – G-YAAA and G-YORX.  These are a more advanced version of their initial H145 helicopter models which served the charity well from 2016.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance fly daily with a crew consisting of a highly trained Pilot, and specialist Paramedics.  The Nostell helicopter also flies with a Critical Care Doctor, with experience in A&E and an anaesthesia specialism. The Charity dispatch their helicopters from their own dedicated air desk, manned by a one of their Critical Care Paramedics to ensure the air ambulance are sent to the most urgent incidents across the county.

In 2017, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance commenced Night Vision Operations where the helicopters can fly in darkness, and also introduced the ability to carry blood on board both aircraft. NVIS has enabled the charity to extend its operational hours to earlier in the mornings and later in the evenings and carrying blood on board has enabled critically injured patients to receive vital transfusions at the scene of accidents or in the air.

YAA relies on the generosity of individuals, community groups, and businesses to support them in their fundraising efforts each year.  The Charity have strong community presence across the region and are always keen to connect with anyone who is interested in supporting them.  You can visit www.yaa.org.uk for more detailed information about what YAA do across Yorkshire.