The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) staged the event at the Marriott at Gosforth Park, Newcastle on Saturday evening.
The ball was hosted by Pam Royle, patron of GNAAS, and was attended by some of the Darlington-based charity’s biggest supporters.

Nestlé Confectionery of Fawdon, donated 15 large boxes of sweets for the event, and guests arrived to find tables adorned with mountains of Rolos and Fruit Pastilles.

The money is still being counted but early indications show the event raised many thousands of pounds for GNAAS, which is not funded by the Government and needs to raise £4m every year to survive.

Ruth Davey, events organiser at GNAAS, said it would not have been possible without the support of the many businesses who donated their time and goods.

She said: “The atmosphere which greeted our guests was simply magical and that is all down to the generosity of our backers.

“It was a night full of laughter, music and colour and we can’t wait to get started on planning our next big event.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to all who supported the event, either by coming along for the party or helping with the organisation.”

Ms Davey wished to thank Helen Jamieson of Flower Design, who has shops in Whickham and Rowlands Gill, supported the ball for the second year running creating elaborate table decorations incorporating floral cupcakes, sweets and lollipops.

North-East band Scarlet Street, Flower Design Ltd, MT Print, Theme-Works and The Sugashack of Ingleby.

Meanwhile, the charity has announced it will take the Candyland Ball to Cumbria, where it operates the county’s only dedicated air ambulance, on November 30^th at the Rheged Centre, Penrith. For tickets, or for more information, please call 01325-487263 or visit www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk

Posted in: Cumbria, Events, North East, North Yorkshire

The charity relies on the hundreds of people who regularly volunteer to raise money directly or to support other fundraising initiatives.

Because it is 100 per cent charitably funded, GNAAS does not have the luxury of a guaranteed income. It must scrap and strive for every penny in order to keep its three air ambulances flying.

Mandy Drake, head of fundraising at the charity, said: “The extended network of volunteers remains as vital now to the charity as it was in the beginning. Whether they are supporting at events, giving presentations, holding supermarket collections or administrative work, we remain absolutely indebted to these great unsung heroes who keep the helicopters flying.

“The thousands of missions we have flown since we started would not have been possible without this support, so we would just like to say a massive thank you, not just from the charity itself but from everyone who has ever benefitted from its life-saving service.”

The charity has a range of volunteering options available to anyone who wants to help, no matter where they live across the North-East, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.

To find out more, please get in touch on 01325-487263 or email info@greatnorthairambulance.co.uk

Posted in: Cumbria, North East, North Yorkshire

It is believed the 25-year-old local woman sustained the injuries when she tripped over a dog.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service paramedics requested the services of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), primarily due to the isolated location of the patient and the subsequent distance to hospital.

GNAAS arrived on scene, transferred the patient to the aircraft, and flew her to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton. 
The flight took 14 minutes and the patient arrived in a stable condition. Her injuries are not thought life-threatening.

Posted in: Missions, North Yorkshire

The incident happened on the outskirts of Harrington, near Workington, yesterday.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service's Pride of Cumbria, based at Langwathby near Penrith, flew to the scene to assist the North West Ambulance Service.

The charity's onboard doctor and paramedic team assisted the man at the scene before moving him onto the aircraft.

He was then flown to Carlisle. The flight took 16 minutes and the man arrived in a stable condition.

Posted in: Cumbria, Missions

The crew were called out at 1pm to the Tilery area and flew to the scene in the Guardian of the North helicopter.

On scene, the charity's doctor and paramedic team worked alongside medics from the North East Ambulance Service. 

The boy was able to be transported by road, with the GNAAS team accompanying him on the journey.

He arrived at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough in a stable condition with non-life-threatening back injuries. 

Posted in: Missions, North East

Posted in: Cumbria, Events, North East, North Yorkshire

Only a few tables remain for the event, which will be held at the Marriot Hotel in Gosforth Park, Newcastle, on Saturday 15^th June.

The evening will kick off with a drinks reception at 6:30pm, followed by a three-course meal, cabaret act, live band Grooveline, and a special appearance by Newcastle female vocal harmony group Scarlet Street, and a disco running until 2am.

ITV Tyne Tees news anchor Pam Royle is host for the evening and there will be an array of auction lots including: a day behind the scenes at an eventing competition with Olympic Team Silver Medallist Nicola Wilson, breeches signed by all the jockeys at the 2013 Grand National including winner Ryan Mania and former winner Bob Champion OBE, a flying lesson, and a day sailing on Lake Windermere for four people on a private yacht with a meal.

After this, there will be a luxury raffle, with prizes such as a Barbour jacket, the use of a Mercedes for a weekend, spa days and high street vouchers.

The Willy Wonka themed golden tickets are still available for the event and are £60 each.

Special room rates are available for those who wish to continue their stay at the Marriot Hotel.

For more information and to purchase tickets please contacts the events team on: 01325 487 263 or click here to buy.

Posted in: Events, North East, North Yorkshire

An off-duty paramedic had stopped to begin treatment before road paramedics arrived.

The doctor and paramedic crew of the helicopter administered strong painkilling drugs to allow stabilisation of the injury.

The patient was then flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle in 20 minutes. He arrived in a stable condition.

Posted in: Missions, North East

John Tucker, who runs Beach Stores on Seascale’s seafront, is selling carrier bags at 5p each and is donating all the proceeds to the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

The convenience store has been charging for the bags since last December and the running total amounts to more than £500, equivalent to over 10,000 bags. Mr Tucker who has owned the store for the past 15 years plans to permanently donate all the money raised to the charity.

Mr Tucker said: “The Great North Air Ambulance is held in high regard in the area and we have had bounds of support from the local community who appreciate the invaluable service they provide. We have been greeted with many kind responses from customers who insist we charge them for more bags than what they have taken.

“The sale of the bags not only benefits the charity but we have halved the number of carrier bags we use too.”

Mandy Drake, deputy director of fundraising at GNAAS, said: “This is a brilliant way to highlight that small sums of money from a large amount of people can really add up. We are happy John has chosen to support us and we want to pay a special thanks to his customers for their donations.”

Posted in: Cumbria

Local businesses are invited to put together teams and go head to head in the Great North Air Ambulance Service’s (GNAAS) challenge at The Northern Echo Arena in Darlington.

A family fun day will also be taking place to raise money for the charity and the GNAAS mascot bear is to make an appearance for the children. There will be face painting, a bouncy castle and refreshments, all for free entry.

Competitors can take part in fancy dress and are likely to get wet as they compete in a fun obstacle course amid water and foam to see who comes top of the league table, and wins the coveted GNAAS cup.

Sarah Zissler, from GNAAS, who organised the event, said: "There will be something for everyone on the day.

“It’s great for team building but also for families who want to enjoy a day out in the local area whilst raising money for a great cause. Everyone gets very competitive but it is sure to be a great laugh.”

Teams of 10 are £500 to enter, which is equivalent to just £50 each which can be raised through individual or team sponsorship.   

The event will take place on Sunday July 7th, at 12 noon, and last year’s competition raised more than £7,000, which went to supporting the charity’s three helicopter air ambulances.

Any businesses that would like to participate and put forward a team can call GNAAS on 01325 487263.

Posted in: Cumbria, Events, North East, North Yorkshire

The Create&Donate platform is already proving popular at a time when helicopter expenditure is on the rise.

Site users can create events, share with friends, and encourage online donations. They can upload photographs and update their supporters about how their fundraising is going. In turn, friends and family can leave messages of support while donating to the cause.

The site has only been operational for a month, but has already seen 29 pages created and more than £4,000 donated. Users have created pages for sponsored silences, runs and bike rides. Others have created pages in memory of deceased loved ones.

Mandy Drake, deputy director of fundraising at GNAAS, which is entirely charitably funded, said that because the website is run by the organisation, every penny donated comes straight into its bank account.

She said: “Online donations are growing all the time, which is great, but we noticed that our supporters are becoming more assertive when giving through third party sites because they are concerned about the amount that actually comes through to the charity.

“We wanted to build something ourselves that ensures 100 per cent of every donation comes to the charity, boosting funds by cutting out the middlemen.

“With rising fuel costs and expensive maintenance bills to pay, we have to make the most of every penny given to us.”

The site was created by Darlington-based web design firm Geonet Solutions as part of a wider redesign of the charity’s main website.

Anthony Lewis, sales and marketing director at Geonet Solutions, said: “The internet continues to offer fantastic opportunities to charities and businesses in general. We are just pleased to have been able to support GNAAS, and delighted to see it is already reaping the rewards of the website.”

To visit the website, please visit www.createanddonate.co.uk

Posted in: Cumbria, North East, North Yorkshire

The Great North Air Ambulance Service joined Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, police and fire and rescue at the scene. 

GNAAS' patient was trapped in the vehicle and the charity's doctor anaesthetised him on the roadside before he was airlifted.

He was flown to Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital. The flight took ten minutes and the patient arrived in a stable condition.

His injuries were described as severe.

Posted in: Missions, North Yorkshire

Missions flown included:

Saturday, 9.20am: A man in his twenties from Winton, near Kirkby Stephen, was airlifted in a critical condition after falling ill at home. He was anaesthetised by the on-board doctor before being flown to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. The flight took 15 minutes and the patient arrived in a stable condition.

Saturday, 12.15pm: A man from Exeter was flown from Langdale fells after becoming hypothermic while out walking. The man, in his fifties, was flown to the valley bottom where the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team was waiting for the patient.

Sunday, 9.55am: A 20-month-old girl was airlifted in a critical condition after an incident involving a vehicle on a campsite at Keswick. She was treated on scene, anaesthetised by the on-board doctor, and flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. The flight took 25 minutes.

Sunday, 4.05pm: Two patients were treated on scene following a car accident on the outskirts of Penrith. Their vehicle had overturned and the patients were trapped inside. Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service freed the pair, who were thankfully found not to have sustained any serious injuries after a check over by the on-board doctor and paramedic team.

Posted in: Cumbria, Missions

All those signing up to take part in the Boundary 500 Motorcycle Group’s series of popular ride-outs will be entered into a draw to win a holiday for four in France, including ferry crossing, a week’s accommodation and at least £400 spending money.

Entrants must raise £40 sponsorship each for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), which operates three air ambulance helicopters across Cumbria, the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Participants can enter more than once, as long as they raise the minimum sponsorship for each event.

In addition, the twenty people who raise the most money for the charity will be entered in a prize draw to win £1,000 worth of kit including a riding jacket, two helmets and an Autocom biking communications set.

The two people who raise the most overall will also win £100 vouchers for Alt-Berg boots in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

The group’s feature run, the Boundary 500 Motorcycle Challenge takes place on Saturday, June 29th, taking in the 500 mile circumference of GNAAS’ area, with starting points in Cumbria and the North-East.

The following day, Sunday June 30th, the Boundary 500 Classic Motorcycle Challenge takes in 130 miles around the North Yorkshire Moors.

On Saturday, August 24th, the Boundary Lakes Classic takes in a distance of about 125 miles around the Lake District National Park. It is open to any age of bike.  The ride starts at Oily's Pub at Winscale  near Workington.

Brian Laverick, group chairman, said: “Since our group was started in June 2006 we have raised in excess of four hundred and fifty thousand pounds. With everyone’s support, we are hoping to break through the half a million pound barrier which will be a phenomenal achievement.

“We would encourage anyone to take part. Not only do we have a great time but we are also raising life-saving funds for the air ambulance.”

Mr Laverick wished to thank all those who have donated prizes for the draw including Brittany Ferries, Gites De Kerlun, Cougar Systems, Alt-Berg, John Simpson, Tillston Motorcycles and SecureAll.

The draw will be held on Saturday, October 19^th, at the group’s annual presentation evening. For entry forms, or more information, visit www.boundary500.co.uk or call 01642-343479.

Posted in: Cumbria, Events, North East, North Yorkshire

The Great North Air Ambulance Service was called at 1.30pm. A land crew from Yorkshire Ambulance Service was already on scene but requested the assistance of a doctor because of the nature of the boy's injury.

The two crews worked together before the boy was transferred to the aircraft and flown to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. The flight took ten minutes and the boy arrived in a stable condition.

Posted in: Missions, North Yorkshire

The 63-year-old, who is believed to live locally, was flown to hospital in Lancaster after taking ill around 10.30am yesterday.

The Pride of Cumbria arrived on scene shortly afterwards, joining paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service, who had managed to restore the patient's heart beat.

He was then flown to hospital for further treatment. The flight took ten minutes and the patient arrived in a critical but stable condition.

Posted in: Cumbria, Missions

The event, which is sponsored by Michelin, takes place at Kirkbride Airfield on Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 May and all the profits from the weekend will go to the Great North Air Ambulance.

And with attractions including top-class riders, a drag strip, incredible displays of power and agility, the chance to see some of the latest machines on the market, and dozens of trade stands, it promises to be a great weekend for young and old.

There will be Championship Drag Racing with the National Sprint Association, adrenaline-fuelled exhibition riding by Steve Colley and UK FMX, one of the leading freestyle motocross teams in the country, as well as dirt buggy racing, quad bikes, and demonstrations from Moto Gymkhana, the latest craze of speed and skill on two wheels. If that’s not enough, then there’s always the auto jumble where enthusiasts could find that elusive part they need to finish their custom-made or cherished bike.

Bike owners will also have the chance to take part in ‘Run what you Brung’, and take their own motorcycles on to the racetrack. There’ll be live music from Cumbrian Bands including Thirteen Stars, Crooked Dice and Five & Dangerous at the White Heather Hotel on the Friday and Saturday nights and camping available for those who want to make a break of it.

The organisers also have joined forces with Lloyd Motorcycles of Carlisle to offer an amazing raffle prize and one lucky winner will walk away with a new Honda CB500F. Tickets cost just £2 and are available over the weekend, or in advance by emailing raffle@cumbriabikeshow.co.uk

Cumbria Bike Show organiser Martin Ashfield, of Cockermouth-based J&M Events, said: “I can’t wait for this weekend to arrive - we’ve got two packed days of entertainment which bike fans will love. It’s the perfect family event too, with loads of activities for the children, and races and demonstrations which really have the wow factor.

“The raffle and auction will be fantastic too – the Honda CB500F is a stunning bike – and all the profits from the event will go to the Great North Air Ambulance, a charity which, every biker knows, provides an invaluable service all over Cumbria.”

Tickets for Cumbria Bike Show are available now. Day passes cost £7.50, withunder-16s getting in free. Weekend camping tickets cost £15 and include access to the live music on both nights. Tickets for the music nights cost £5 for non-campers.

For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.cumbriabikeshow.co.uk

Posted in: Cumbria, Events

The boy was thought to be playing in a local dene when the incident happened yesterday tea time. 

The Great North Air Ambulance was called to assist North East Ambulance Service, the Police and Fire and Rescue Service at about 7pm.

The aircraft had a specialist doctor on board who administered aneasthetic at scene before the boy was flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. The flight took four minutes.

Posted in: Missions, North East

Posted in: Events, North East

GNAAS was called to assist the Yorkshire Ambulance Service in the rescue, which happened around 1pm.

When the charity's crews arrived on scene, the road crews had already begun life-saving treatment on the local woman. 

She was stablised before being flown to the specialist cardiac centre at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, where she arrived ten minutes later in a critical but stable condition.

Posted in: Missions, North Yorkshire