The Yorkshire Air Ambulance has given special permission for the Rotary wheel logo to be affixed to the Air Ambulance, G-SASH after showing continuous support for the charity over many years, raising just short of £100,000, with over £40,000 alone being raised within the last year.

District Governor for Rotary District 1040, John Philip commented, “On behalf of the Rotarians across the Yorkshire region, I am delighted to be able to affix our Rotary wheel onto the Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s G-SASH helicopter.  This is a real honour for us.  The Rotary have continued to support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance for a number of years now and having our logo affixed to the helicopter reinforces our strong relationship.  Our connection with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is an excellent example of our commitment to serve the community”

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is one of a number of charities the Rotarians support.  They were welcomed to the Air Support Unit at Leeds Bradford International Airport by Tony Doveston, Development Officer for North Yorkshire.  Tony commented: “Working in the community, I see first hand how much effort the Rotary clubs put into their fundraising.  I am proud to be able to welcome John and his fellow Rotarians to affix the wheel to G-SASH and thank them for their continued fundraising work.”Many people are unaware that the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is in fact an independent charity which receives no government funding.  The only help is through the secondment of their paramedics from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.  This means it costs £7,200 each day to keep both helicopters maintained and in the air.  This is equivalent to £2.6million each year.The primary fund raising event over the last 12 months, organised and run by the Rotary Club of York, has been the famous dragon boat race held on the River Ouse in York last summer.  The event raised a staggering £35,000.  In addition, a number of other clubs have, and will continue to raise much needed funds over the coming months.As well as the District Governor, members of the rotary clubs from York, Ripon, Mirfield and Harrogate Brigantes were in attendance.