Here’s a look at all the wonderful things you’ve been up to this month. 

Stormy support 

On the wings of storm Amy, Mieke drove to the Wild Rose Holiday Park near Appleby. The Park’s Owners Club have been fundraising for GNAAS for the past ten years now. 

This year’s fantastic sum of £5100 was the result of their annual golf tournament, some serious raffling, and the bar takings, kindly donated by the Park Management. Their total raised now stands at well over £15k. 

Country on the Rock! 

Mandy met up with Maria Marlow who hosted last month’s ‘Country on the Rock’ event. 

Their efforts raised over £2,000 for GNAAS! 

A surprise cheque 

We attended the Annual Memorial Lecture of the Wainwright Society, which was held at Rheged. Alfred Wainwright’s great niece, Linda, gave the audience an insight into the man himself and his upbringing.  

We are the Society’s Beneficiary for 2025, and one of the ways they support us is by allowing us to sell their calendars, with our logo on. On the night, they surprised us with a cheque for £2500 – an amount that they expect to be tripled by the end of the year! 

Darts and donations 

The Seaham & District Ladies Darts League held their presentation evening, presenting £900 to GNAAS alongside two other charities. Big thank you to Liz, Jane and Val for their continued support.  

We also sold over £100 in GNAAS merch that evening – it all adds up! 

Gallons of generosity 

After Charlie lost his son Graham in a bike accident in 2007, to which we attended, they have done the “Graham’s Gallon Walk” every July in his memory.  

So, we joined Charlie Simpson, his family, and their community for a cheque presentation following this year’s walk. 

Since 2008, they have raised over £122,000, with this month’s presentation adding £6,025. Charlie thought they would stop at £100k but it’s too important to the community, their commitment is truly inspiring. 

Heli highlights 

Kirkby Stephen continues to show tremendous support for GNAAS, coordinated by Dave Prince.  

He brought representatives of two groups he’s involved with to our Langwathby airbase this month. They arrived just in time to see the Pride of Cumbria II being taken to bed and the rapid response vehicle coming out, ready to take the crew to where they are needed.  

Participants of the annual Yomp Mountain Challenger raised a fantastic £1500 from this year’s run. After hearing all about our aircraft and lifesaving services from Terry and the team, they are determined to raise even more next year!  

Back in August, the Upper Eden Rotary Club visited the airbase with a surprise cheque of £500. On the back of the tour and talk, they decided to do another fundraiser and in the last weekend of September they organised a Committed2Rock concert. At their base visit, bandmembers and Rotarians presented us with the £1,327.18 they raised rocking and rolling.   

Little feet, big impact 

We had a very cute cheque presentation at Sacriston toddler group! The little ones raised £500 through a sponsored toddle, with Miles the Bear giving them a helping hand. 

Remembering Daniel 

Judith Swaddle and the Buffalo Spiritual Friends donated in memory of Daniel Swaddle.  

Daniel was flown home by us on 3/7/04 with a terminal brain tumour. Daniel was the youngest pilot in the country, and this was his final flight.  We also attended his funeral, flying over the hearse to the church. When his schoolfriends carried Daniel from the hearse, the helicopter bowed its nose – something his mum, Judith, will never forget.  

Each week when the Buffalo Spiritual Friends meet, they put money in the box and once the expenses (like room hire) are paid, the rest of the monies go to good causes and charities, and they wanted to make this donation in memory of Daniel. 

Bake sale bonanza 

Morag came into our coffee house, Hangar 63, with an idea of a bake sale to raise funds for GNAAS. After a lovely chat with us about fundraising, Morag left with items to help promote it, and in total, she and her friends raised £512 and are geared up for a Christmas fundraiser. 

Rolls Royce raffle 

Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Northern Section held a summer event raising funds at Headlam Hall with tombola and raffle.  

They have donated £500 and are looking forward to getting the group together and attending a car and bike night in the future. 

Back to school 

Ingleby Manor School held a full fundraising day with a tombola, merch, cakes and more.  

Miles was lucky enough to make an appearance too! 

Run Rebecca, run 

Rebecca Smith ran the Great North Run in aid of us in September, raising an impressive £1,000! 

She also very kindly donated some raffle and tombola prizes for our Emerald Balls and some upcoming events. 

Tractors, triumphs, and thanks 

We also had a chance meeting with Dave Mitchell at the Northumberland Vintage Tractor Rally, who has been fundraising for us for many years. 

He donates once a year from all his shows, which he travels round to and sells bags of flour with his equipment (which is 200 years old and has a 1940 engine!).   

Over the years, he has raised an incredibly impressive amount for GNAAS – more than £14,000. As part of our thanks, we gave him a new banner to use on his stand at future shows.  

Beyond bingo 

Wayne and the Markby Green Bingo Group have done various things to raise funds for GNAAS, including walks, tombolas and raffles. 

They kindly invited us for a cheque presentation, and they are looking forward to learning more about the work of GNAAS and raise more funds for us. 

Country coffee morning 

Robson & Cowan Country recently held a coffee morning in aid of Great North Air Ambulance Service. 

They raised a brilliant £462.15, so we paid them a visit for a cheque presentation and to say thank you! 

Charity of the year 

Barrasford Park Clubhouse have once again chosen us as Charity of the Year again this year. We have been fortunate to be their chosen charity for several years now.  

They presented us with over £6,050 raised throughout the year, through tabletop sales, leek shows, bake sales, race nights, quiz nights and afternoon teas and more – an amazing effort from everyone!  

Charity ball 

With the help of her friends, Anouska Robinson organised an “All Black Affair” charity ball in Roundthorn Country House.  

The evening was a huge success, and the end result was nearly double the target Anouska had set herself.  

This month, she came to our Langwathby airbase to celebrate the fantastic £3656 she raised for our charity. Amazing! 

Gliding for good 

Directors of Edensoaring Gliding Club came to Langwathby to present us with a cheque for £5877.40.  

When they were closing their business, it didn’t take them long to decide where the remainder of their money would go. They have a longstanding connection to GNAAS, with their location close to our Cumbrian airbase.  

Keith Nattrass, one of the directors, said: “We already knew the money would be put to good use, but to come here today and learn that it helps save at least one life, is really good. As Cumbrians, and as glider pilots, we are aware how vital your service is to our communities!” 

Triathlon triumphs  

The Edington Centre in Penrith is a day centre dedicated to providing care for adults with learning disabilities. 

Over the past few months, these incredible people have teamed up to raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance Service in a fundraising effort they named “Tri For The Skies”. The staff facilitated an alternative triathlon, which included walking, swimming and cycling.  

Using Go Fund Me, the initial target was to raise £200 but collectively with support from families, friends & carers the service users have raised an amazing total of £3,203! While this was a collective effort a special ‘shout out’ must go to Karl Wilkinson who single handedly raised more than £1500. 

Welly the Heli 
We couldn’t let this month go by without mentioning Drigg YFC and “Welly the Heli”! 

Back in July the group took on the huge task of pulling a replica of our helicopter called from Drigg to our base in Langwathby to raise funds and awareness of our service. 

If that wasn’t enough, the young farmers held several fundraising events throughout the year, including a muck haul, helicopter-themed beetle drive, Mother’s Day afternoon tea, tractor run, and charity auction. 

They recently announced that they have raised an astonishing £100,000 for GNAAS! 

A huge thank you to October’s fundraising heroes 

We’d like to say a huge thank you to each and every one of our fundraisers for all your hard work this month!