This is 20 per cent of their £2.5 million target, which is needed to secure the deposit for a third helicopter to safeguard the future of their operations.

As a charity, GNAAS does not receive government funding, and their current aircraft, which are Dauphin N3 and Dauphin N3+ helicopters, are coming to the end of their economically viable life due to parts shortages, ever-rising maintenance costs, and extended downtime.

As demand for their service continues to grow, the charity has designed the blueprints for a stronger future, investing in three state-of-the-art Airbus H145 D2 helicopters.

They have already secured the financing for the first two new aircraft through sound financial planning, but they urgently need the public’s help in securing the deposit for a vital third aircraft to ensure they are never grounded.

Phil Lambert, chief pilot at GNAAS, said: “With only two helicopters we live on a knife-edge. If one is in maintenance and the other develops a fault, we’re grounded, and that means we can’t answer a 999 call by helicopter.

“A third aircraft changes everything. It gives us resilience and guarantees that when one is being serviced, two remain ready to fly.”

Since launching the appeal in November last year, the charity’s critical care teams have responded to more than 420 incidents, delivering advanced care to patients across the North of England and the Isle of Man.

Due to scheduled maintenance on the current fleet, approximately 70% of these call-outs were attended via rapid response vehicles.

Securing the third H145 D2 will provide the resilience needed to keep crews in the air rather than on the road.

GNAAS hopes to reach their fundraising target later this year and are appealing for the public to help them raise the remaining £2 million needed to secure the aircraft.

Joe Garcia MBE, Chief Executive Officer at GNAAS, said: “Reaching £500,000 in the first three months of Operation SOS is an incredible achievement and a powerful demonstration of the trust and generosity shown by our supporters.”

Mr Lambert added: “When you donate, you’re not just funding equipment. You’re buying time, safety and certainty, and giving my crew and me the best tools to save lives.”

To find out more about Operation SOS: Secure Our Service and support the appeal, visit gna.as/secure_our_service