Last updated at 15:32, Monday, 26 November 2012

LAST year the Great North Air Ambulance took part in 565 missions, from its bases in the North-East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

ON STANDBY: The Pride of Cumbria helicopter operated by the Great North Air Ambulance is ready to come to the rescue whenever it is called on submitted

Last year the Cumbria service cost £1.4m and with no government or National Lottery aid, this was funded solely by donations from members of the public.

The Pride of Cumbria aircraft runs 365 days a year, is based at Langwathby, near Penrith and is the only air ambulance based in Cumbria.

It is staffed by a Cumbrian crew, and usually operates with a doctor on board, which means advanced medical procedures can be carried out at the scene.

Mandy Drake, deputy director of fund-raising, said: “We would like to thank everyone who undertook the Keswick to Barrow challenge for the Great North Air Ambulance service.

“The money raised will be spent supporting the Pride of Cumbria to ensure it can continue to respond to the volume of call-outs we are experiencing.”

It costs £4m a year to pay for all of the Great North Air Ambulance’s missions and the team are always looking for new fund-raising ventures.

Mandy said: “We are currently recruiting volunteers in Cumbria to help with fundraising.”

Anyone wanting to find out more should get in touch through the website on www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk or can call the ambulance team for details 01539 730999.

First published at 16:47, Friday, 23 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk