In the ‘Golden Hour’ immediately after an accident, medical treatment is paramount to survival; the mortality of a severely injured victim increases by a factor of three times in the first half hour; and another three times in the second half hour if invasive medical action is not immediately available.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) is a registered charity, which provides emergency air ambulance provision during this time of desperate need. Operating across the North East of England (Northumberland, Tyneside, Durham, Wearside, Cleveland, Teesside) North Yorkshire and Cumbria, these areas are serviced by a fleet of three helicopters which are based at, Durham Tees Valley Airport, Police Headquarters in Penrith and Otterburn Army Training Camp.

Great North Air Ambulances travel between 140 - 160mph, so can reach the furthest boundaries of the region in 15 minutes (average time from take-off to scene is only eight minutes). Unhindered by distance, terrain, poor road conditions or traffic congestion the air ambulance on emergency missions can land almost anywhere.

GNAAS does not qualify for Government or Lottery funding and the entire operation solely depends on public fundraising to find the necessary money. In order to keep the helicopters in the air, the charity needs to raise £175,000 per month; this does not include fuel or paramedic fees.

Sarah Booth, public relation officer for GNAAS said: “GNAAS offers a life saving service, which we all hope will we will never need, unfortunately this isn’t always the case. We need the people of the region to get behind GNAAS to keep these helicopters in the sky.”

There are a number of ways you help GNAAS whether it be; joining their in-house lottery, donating clothes, signing up for 50p a week campaign or becoming a volunteer.

For more details on any of these call us on: 01325 487263 or alternatively you can donate £3 by texting GNAS to 84858