Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) celebrated its annual recognition awards, at The Principal Hotel, York recently. The awards evening, hosted by the charities well known Patrons, retired ITV Calendar stars Gaynor Barnes and Jon Mitchell, is a heartfelt tribute to Yorkshire businesses, fundraisers and volunteers who have played a key role in raising vital funds for the life-saving mission of YAA.
YAA staff meticulously selected the finalists, honouring their dedication and willingness to go above and beyond to support the charity and whose commitment to YAA’s life-saving mission has made a significant difference. Their dedication serves as an inspiring example of the positive impact that a community united in a common cause can achieve.
As an independent charity, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, relies on the generosity of the public and fundraising initiatives to sustain its life-saving operations.
The following remarkable individuals and organisations were honoured at the YAA’s annual recognition awards:
Volunteers Award
West Yorkshire: Helen Murray Sharpe – Helen has delivered over 100 YAA presentations and played a key role in developing the ‘Building Bridges’ community project.
North Yorkshire: Peter Covill – Peter’s dedicated volunteering and promotion of YAA’s mission significantly increased community outreach.
East Yorkshire: Danielle Reed – Danielle has actively supported YAA at various events and organised fundraisers that have cumulatively raised over £90,000.
South Yorkshire: Stephen Croft – An ex-patient of YAA, Stephen shares his inspirational journey through talks and active participation in events.
Community Groups Award
West Yorkshire: Huddersfield Tractor Fest – Raised an impressive £23,000 through the Huddersfield Tractor Fest event since 2019.
North Yorkshire: Peter Fall from Barn that Rocks – Peter, his family, and his iconic red suit have been Instrumental in raising substantial funds for YAA through the successful Barn that Rocks annual concert.
South Yorkshire: Wombwell Karting – The Joe Dale Championships, organised by Wombwell Karting, provide essential support for the work of YAA and two other charitable causes. This championship is a heartfelt tribute to Joe Dale, a beloved member of the karting community, who tragically lost his life to a severe asthma attack.
Individual & Supporter Organisations Award
West Yorkshire: Jo Heywood at Gaping Goose and Martin and Janet Thornton – Jo’s ‘drive-thru’ Santa experience and other fundraising initiatives has raised over £24,000 for YAA. Additionally, Martin and Janet’s have played a pivotal role in the success of all YAA events with Huddersfield Town Football Club since the Huddersfield to Brighton ride in April 2011.
North Yorkshire: Pierre Olesqui from Tour De Aky and Claire Hartford – Pierre’s charity ‘Tour De Aky’ bike ride, which has run for five years, has raised £16,000 for YAA in memory of his Police colleague Mick ‘Aky’ Atkinson. Claire’s unique fundraising efforts, including her “Coffee with Claire” Instagram live spiritual show has raised over £84,000 for YAA.
East Yorkshire: Oliver’s Mount Racetrack and Mike Thatcher from Seaways Café – Oliver’s Mount Racetrack has generously supported YAA with over £40,000 raised through its four annual race meetings, while Seaways Café’s charitable contributions and support have added over £25,000 to YAA’s cause.
South Yorkshire: Doncaster Airgun Range – Collecting donations and running monthly competitions, raising an impressive £7,000 for YAA.
Corporate Award
West Yorkshire: Andy Sellar’s – Barclay’s Golf Day – Raised an incredible £67,000 through his annual golf days at Normanton Golf Club.
North Yorkshire: Reed Boardall – Donated over £100,000 and increased YAA’s profile across Yorkshire and the UK.
South Yorkshire: Cannon Hall Farm – Donated over £13,000 and supported YAA through various fundraising initiatives over the years.
East Yorkshire: ABI UK – Donated over £10,000 to YAA through their sustainability and charity support initiatives.
Additionally, other notable recipients included Shepley Spring, which received the Outstanding Partnership Award, and Peter Sunderland, the former YAA Chairman, who was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 20 years of dedicated service to the charity.
The Chairman’s Award was presented to Sir Geoffrey & Lady Rachael Boycott, acknowledging their exceptional contributions and unwavering support to Yorkshire Air Ambulance over the years.
For more information about Yorkshire Air Ambulance and how you can support the life-saving work of the Charity, please visit www.yaa.org.uk.
