A SOCIAL media fundraiser has launched for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), as it expects to be more than 50 per cent busier as the start of summer officially begins.
Today (June 21) marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the first day of summer.
The charity does not receive government funding and needs to raise £7.7m a year to remain operational. To help support them during the summer months, they have launched a fundraiser on Facebook and are appealing to the public to donate to GNAAS.
Last year between June 21 and September 23, the critical care team responded to 563 incidents in the Northeast, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Cumbria, Scotland and the Isle of Man.
GNAAS began operating seven nights a week in the Northeast in January this year and hopes to offer the same in Cumbria in future, where it operates four nights a week.
The charity has employed three dispatchers who monitor emergency calls at their air desk to identify which patients most need GNAAS’ help and then coordinate an appropriate response alongside the ambulance service.
Andy Mawson, director of operations at GNAAS, said: “In the summer, we’re 52 per cent busier than we are during the winter months and through our improvements in dispatch we’re getting to more patients that really need us, and we’re doing more missions and we’re delivering more critical care.
“We’re so aware that everybody’s struggling now with the cost of living, and in our sector it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to raise the funds that we need to continue to save lives.
“Aviation fuel for example has trebled in price over the last 18 months, and against this backdrop of rising costs I hope that you’re proud that we’ve been able to deliver 24/7 care in the North East and we’re now operating four nights in Cumbria.
“We will soon be providing 24/7 care across the region but we need your help more than ever.
“We recognize how much everybody is struggling, but no matter what you can do for us, however big or small, it’s gratefully received, and we just want to continue making you proud.”
To donate towards GNAAS’ Facebook fundraiser, visit: https://www.facebook.com/donate/815868753018394.
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