Lakes & Dales Co-operative have funded vital equipment for the Great North Air Ambulance – helping the service which covers the Society’s trading areas in Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland.
Formed just over 15 years ago, the Great North Air Ambulance currently operates three helicopters from its two bases at Langwathby in Cumbria and at Durham Tees Valley Airport.
The helicopters, containing a doctor, a pilot and a paramedic, travel throughout the region, often to remote rural locations to help patients who are seriously at risk from life-threatening illnesses.
Lakes & Dales Co-operative, which has nine stores located in Cumbria and the north-east of England, have used funding generated from the sale of single-use carrier bags to purchase 40 thermal blankets, temperature controlled blood boxes and also the service and repair of flight helmets.
Lakes & Dales Co-operative Regional Committee member John Mills said: “Lakes & Dales Co-op are proud to be able to fund equipment for the Great North Air Ambulance – the service they provide across the community is invaluable.
“The Lakes & Dales region has a very rural community and this is a project that definitely merits our support and funding.
“As a co-operative, funding the Great North Air Ambulance fits our values our principles – we want to help the communities we serve.
“This funding is playing a small part in helping to make a big difference to an incredibly important service – the professionalism and dedication shown by the Great North Air Ambulance team on a daily basis is absolutely phenomenal.”
Dr Rachel Hawes from the Great North Air Ambulance said: “The funding from Lakes & Dales Co-op will make a huge difference and it has gone towards cool boxes, which we carry our blood and plasma in, warming blankets for patients and helmets to protect the staff while they are working.
“We’re hugely grateful to Lakes & Dales Co-op for providing the funding because, without donations, we wouldn’t be able to run the service.”
Lakes & Dales Regional Committee member Chris Henderson said: “Lakes & Dales Co-op are both proud and thrilled to be able to make a donation to the Great North Air Ambulance in order for them to buy vital equipment.
“The service the Great North Air Ambulance provides to this region is absolutely incredible and it is so important.
“What is equally amazing is how much it costs to keep the service in operation, which is why donations such as this one help so much.”
Top image: Langwathby (left to right): Terry Sharpe (GNAA paramedic), Becky Smith (Lakes & Dales Keswick store manager and regional committee member), Laura Simpson (GNAA PLO), John Mills (Lakes & Dales Regional Committee Member),Owen McTeggart (GNAA pilot), Simon Cogan (Lakes & Dales Membership and Community Officer), Dr Rachel Hawes (GNAA), Charlene Burdis (Lakes & Dales Frosterley store manager), Sarah Graham (GNAA paramedic).
Bottom image: Durham Tees Valley Airport (left to right): Dawn Marshall (Lakes & Dales Wheatridge store manager), Wendy Brown (Lakes & Dales Seaton Valley store manager) and Kathleen Barry (Lakes & Dales Wheatridge Filling Station store manager) with Chris Henderson (Lakes & Dales Regional Committee Member) and Dr Mike Davison (GNAA A&E Consultant)