Carlisle MP John Stevenson found out more about the Great North Air Ambulance Service’s (GNAAS) life-saving work during a visit to its Langwathby base.

Speaking John said: “The highly-skilled crews of the Great North Air Ambulance service put the people of their community at the heart of everything they do.

“It is essential we continue to support an organisation striving to save lives every minute of every day.

“The air ambulance plays a vital role in supporting the publicly-funded emergency services and I was privileged to get an update on its life-saving work and it’s vision for the future.”

The GNAAS is not NHS funded and relies on income from the general public to fund its operations and currently needs to raise more than £6.7m a year to keep flying each emergency callout costing an average of £4,135 and in 2021, there were 1,620 call outs.

With plans to expand the rapid response vehicle service and night service, GNAAS will need to raise £8m to make this happen.

Like a number of charitable organisations, concerns over the cost-of-living have had a significant impact with a downturn in participation at fundraising events and regular giving whilst at the same time organisations are facing rising in terms of utilities, petrol, and jet fuel.

During the visit, John Stevenson also had the opportunity to inspect one of the charity’s,  specially-equipped helicopters, The Pride of Cumbria II and to meet members of the medical and flight crew.

More details can be found here www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk