HRH The Duke of York recently visited The Yorkshire Air Ambulance team to open their new base and Openhouse were there watch the ceremony.

The Nostell Priory Estate, near Wakefield, was graced by royalty as Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, officially opened the YAA’s new Air Support Unit after a tour of the purpose-developed facilities. 

Chairman of the YAA, Peter Sunderland, said, “We are absolutely delighted that our Royal Patron, HRH The Duke of York, KG agreed to open our Nostell Air Support Unit.”

“Whole hearted support”

Openhouse’s Sales Director and Vice Chairman of the YAA, Bruce Burns, was there to witness Prince Andrew meeting the YAA crew, paramedics, supporters and staff, along with Openhouse’s Directors Brian and Helen Jones.

In his opening speech, The Duke praised the YAA’s essential hard work and fundamental dedication in his speech.

“When you consider the size and extent of Yorkshire, what you are able to deliver on behalf of the county’s citizens is absolutely outstanding,”

“Thank you for the service you give come rain or shine because it means so much to the people of Yorkshire.”

The Duke, who was himself a helicopter pilot and instructor in the Navy, is also the the Royal Patron of the YAA,  and in his speech he recognised their efforts and offered the charity his full backing.

“I am sure they will continue to give as generously as they have done in the past and support this service which is working on a day to day basis to deliver care across the county.

“You can be assured of my wholehearted support because I believe totally in this outstanding service.”

“£3.6 million a Year Running Costs”

The YAA has transported nearly 6,000 people since its beginnings and receives no direct Government funding. The charity needs public support to keep it’s essential £3.6 million a year running costs going.

The new unit in Nostell has a number of improvements on the old base in Leeds Bradford International Airport. The Nostell base will allow the YAA much improved coverage and quicker response times to emergencies occurring in the West and South of Yorkshire.

The base is much larger than their old space too, making new facilities and space available to the team. The bigger space will better the charity’s service and crew comfort with larger helicopter hangar space, overnight crew facilities, a dedicated fuel bowser, helipad and improved office and crew facilities.

“Better service to the people of Yorkshire.”

Peter Sunderland told the YAA’s supporters that “The relocation to Nostell is a major step forward for the charity. It is enhancing our service across the region, improving flying times to all areas and creating an operational overlap in our busiest areas.

“We are extremely proud to have this fabulous facility which helps us to deliver an even better service to the people of Yorkshire.”

Openhouse are a supplier of equipment and bespoke medical bags to the YAA for many years now. The bespoke bags created by Openhouse are all designed to help the crew, paramedics and staff transport their often heavy and delicate equipment safely and easily. To see how Openhouse could help you, please get in touch now.