Latest news with #YorkshireAirAmbulance
ITV News
19-07-2025
- ITV News
Riders take part in 'Tour de Aky' in memory of North Yorkshire Police dog handler Mick Atkinson
Nearly 90 riders have taken part in a charity bike ride in memory of a North Yorkshire police dog handler who took his own life. Mick 'Aky' Atkinson took his own life in 2018 and every year since dozens of riders have taken part in the 'Tour de Aky' in his memory. Riders from across the country took part in the seventh annual event - cycling 106.6 miles from Mike's hometown of Woodlesford in Leeds, to Elland Road Stadium, Headingley Stadium, up to Otley and across to York Police Station. The distance travelled recognises Mick's police collar number which was PC1066. This year the group hopes to top £100,000 raised for mental health charities since his death. His sister, Lynsey Atkinson, said: It's lovely that after so many years there are so many friends of Mick, family and people who didn't even know him that come to take part. "It's not only the money, but since we've been doing this we've had so many people reach out to us to say that by us raising awareness of poor mental health and raising money for these charities, we've helped stop them from taking their own life so we can see the direct impact that it's having." The first 'Tour de Aky' set off in 2019, launched by Mick's best friend and fellow police officer Pierre Olesqui. He wanted to get people talking about mental health, while raising money for charity. "Aky was loved by so many people and so far and wide," Pierre, said. "It's a real testament to the kind of person Aky was. I never expected it to get as big as it is so to be stoo d here on the brink of raising £100,000 in total is amazing." All money raised this year will go to Yorkshire Air Ambulance and mental health charities Andy's Man Club and Menfulness.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man walking from John o' Groats to Land's End in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance
A MAN is preparing to take on a major fundraising challenge to support Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA). Jordan Lefley, 31, from Ilkley, will walk from John o' Groats to Land's End to raise awareness and funds for YAA. Setting off today, the electrical engineer aims to complete the 1,295-mile mission in around 70 days. Jordan told the Telegraph & Argus: "YAA is an independent charity, relying solely on public donations. "Each mission costs around £4,600 so that's how much I'm hoping to raise. "Every pound helps keep this amazing team in the sky, where they're needed most." Jordan explained why he was walking from John o' Groats to Land's End - and not the more usual route of Land's End to John o' Groats. "I realised that as I get towards September, the days will be getting shorter - but if I'm further south, I'll have that bit more daylight," he said. "I'm also trying to dodge the midge season in Scotland!" He added: "I'm sure there will be some challenges along the way, but I know it's a challenge I'll never forget." To sponsor Jordan, visit He has also produced a website - - where people can track his progress along the way.
Sky News AU
14-07-2025
- Sky News AU
Report reveals Prince Andrew still ‘toxic' despite attempts at comeback
Prince Andrew has been left red faced after several charities he once supported as patron saw a rise in profits after he stepped down from royal duties. The Duke of York was patron to dozens of charities and non-profits prior to being stripped of his duties and stepping back from public life over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. According to a damning new report, many charities previously associated with the disgraced royal have seen their profits rise after ditching the Duke of York. Prince Andrew's Charity Patronages: Analysis of the Effects on the Charities, by Caroline Fiennes, founder of Giving Evidence, and Dr Clemens Jarnach, a data scientist and political sociologist, examined the change in revenue of the accounts of the duke's charities before and after he stood down. The data revealed that half the charities, including Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Fly Navy Heritage Trust, saw a rise in profits following his departure in January 2022. Overall, charities supported by Andrew saw no 'discernible' drop in revenue after he stepped back from public life. 'We find no evidence that Prince Andrew's patronage of charities helped the charities in terms of revenue: there was no discernible decline in their revenue when his patronage ended,' the report concluded. The embarrassing new report marks another set back in Andrew's rumoured attempts to launch a public comeback after the death of his accuser, Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre. Until the Epstein allegations surfaced, Andrew was generally seen as a hard working member of the royal family who was often praised for bailing out his cash-strapped ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. Ferguson's reputation arguably hit an all-time low in 2010 after she was caught out trying to sell access to her ex-husband for a suitcase full of cash. As a result, Fergie was left off the guest list for her nephew Prince William's wedding to Kate Middleton the following year. In a massive reversal of fortunes, Andrew's ex-wife Fergie has now been largely welcomed back into the inner circle and was recently given a plum seating assignment in the royal box for Wimbledon. While Ferguson was kept outside the inner circle for decades and was seen as a liability to the Duke of York, she has now been praised for her quiet support of her ex-husband. Royal author Andrew Lownie believes that the Duke of York is eager to return to his money-making schemes now that the threat of legal action in the United States has largely disappeared. 'Andrew wants money,' Mr Lownie told the Daily Beast last week. 'He wants to enjoy a certain lifestyle, and he can do that with the contacts he has made over the years.' According to Mr Lownie, who is writing a book on the Yorks' unconventional marriage, the Duke of York's biggest scandals are likely financial rather than sexual. 'Epstein has always been a side show; the real story is financial corruption by a senior member of the royal family,' he said. 'I think there are grounds for Andrew to be investigated by the (U.K.) National Crime Agency.' According to Mr Lownie, the Duke of York allegedly profited off his royal titles for years by brokering business deals using royal connections then taking a cut of the profits. 'The way it works is that he lends his name, opens his contact book, brings people together, and takes a percentage,' Mr Lownie said. According to insiders close to the Duke of York, Andrew has installed a device in his house which projected a global flight tracking app on one of the walls to pass the time amid his public exile. Meanwhile, a second source inside Royal Lodge claimed that Andrew's inner circle is largely sympathetic to the disgraced Prince and believe in his innocence. 'The British upper classes are inherently sympathetic to the royal family, and Andrew has always maintained he was the victim of a stitch up and that he was railroaded into making the deal with Giuffre,' the source told the same outlet. 'He insists he has no recollection of ever meeting her let alone having sex with her. 'Many of the royal family's friends believe him, and many who don't believe he was entirely blameless do however believe that you are innocent until proven guilty.' The insight comes months after aristocrat and Andrew's former girlfriend Lady Victoria Hervey told that she has always believed Andrew was wrongfully accused by Ms Giuffre.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- BBC News
Thirsk woman, 78, dies in collision with car
A 78-year-old pedestrian has died after being hit by a car, North Yorkshire Police has woman, from Thirsk, was struck by a grey Kia Sportage in Carlton Road, Carlton Miniott, at about 14:00 BST on services, including Yorkshire Air Ambulance, attended but the woman was pronounced dead at the said the driver of the Kia, an 80-year-old man from Thirsk, had been arrested in connection with the collision and later released on bail. The force has appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision or who saw the Kia Sportage in the area of Carlton Road or Thirsk Railway Station to get in touch. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Goole motocross crash teen 'shocked' at extent of injury
A teenager who survived a motocross crash says it was a "shock" to hear how serious his condition was after waking from 15, from near Goole, suffered a brain injury while out riding with his dad at a local motocross park in North Yorkshire on 10 was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, where he needed emergency surgery to save his life and spent almost two weeks in said: "I don't remember anything from the day it happened. I just woke up in hospital a few days later and was told I'd had surgery on my brain and that I'd been on life support for a few days." Despite initially walking away from the incident, which saw him land on his head after crashing at speed, he collapsed and began fitting, prompting his concerned dad to call Air Ambulance's Nostell-based critical care team arrived within five minutes and it was clear he had suffered a serious brain Tim Moll said: "When we saw Tyler, his arms were extended in a way that indicated potential severe brain damage, and I was really concerned."There's a type of head injury where someone can seem OK at first, but inside there is bleeding or swelling putting pressure on the brain and if it is not treated quickly, it can become fatal."The crew, which included paramedic Tammy Williams, began preparing to intubate Tyler so they could take control of his breathing. During the 10-minute journey, Tyler's condition deteriorated, Dr Moll said, and he was taken straight into emergency surgery, where doctors discovered a bleed on his brain. He was placed on life support for three days and spent almost two weeks in hospital as he began the long road to said: "For a while, I couldn't go anywhere without my mum and dad in case I had a seizure, which was tough. "Now, I'm back at school and seeing my friends again, and that's what I was most excited for."Ms Williams added: "It's amazing to hear he's back at school and making such a positive recovery, that's the outcome we all hope for."The teenager will feature on an episode of the TV programme Yorkshire Air 999, which follows the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Click here, to download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and here, to download the BBC News app from Google Play for Android devices.
