(Image: GNAAS)
A charity which provides emergency care to critically ill and injured people across the North has raised more than £1 million towards securing the future of its helicopter fleet.
The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) has raised £1,202,429 through its Operation SOS appeal, almost halfway to its £2.5 million target.
The money will help pay the deposit on a third helicopter as the charity replaces its ageing fleet.
GNAAS' critical care team (chief pilot Phil Lambert, right,with the blueprint for the future (Image: GNAAS)
Joe Garcia MBE, chief executive officer at GNAAS, said: "We reached £500,000 in the first three months of Operation SOS which is an incredible achievement and a powerful demonstration of the trust and generosity of our supporters.
"Unfortunately, since then, fundraising has slowed significantly, and it has taken almost three times as long to raise the next £500,000.
"We’re still only 48 per cent of the way towards our target, and we’re hoping to raise the remaining amount by the end of this year.
GNAAS' critical care team looking at the blueprint for the future (Image: GNAAS)
"We’re calling on the public to help us reach our goal.
"If you value the work we do and are able to support us, please consider donating to our Operation SOS appeal.
"Every donation, whatever the amount, will help us continue to be there for people during their darkest moments and deliver critical care where it is needed most."
GNAAS relies on public donations to run its service across the North East, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Scotland and the Isle of Man.
A mock-up of the new helicopter (Image: GNAAS)
Its Dauphin N3 and N3+ helicopters are becoming too costly and unreliable to operate because of rising maintenance bills, parts shortages and growing downtime.
The charity plans to replace the fleet with three Airbus H145 D2 helicopters for a more reliable long-term service.
Funding is already secured for two of the new helicopters.
The Operation SOS appeal will fund the deposit for the third helicopter.
GNAAS responds to about 2,000 emergencies a year.
The team has already answered more than 1,500 call-outs in 2026.
The most common call-outs include cardiac arrests, road crashes, medical emergencies, falls and assaults.
The charity aims to hit its fundraising target by the end of the year.
Members of the public can contribute to the appeal and learn more by visiting gna.as/secure_our_service.