Leave a legacy Save a life GreAt North Air AmbulANce registered charity No. 1092204
Why we need your help Since 2001, the Great North Air Ambulance Service has grown from a one man operation to a leading healthcare charity, with three helicopters completing more than 1,400 missions every year. It has been hard work, but when we look back on the many thousands of people who have benefited from our services, it is clear that it has all been worth it. But the charity would not be in this position without the support of people like you. With no Government or lottery funding in place, we rely on the residents of our region to keep flying. Leaving a donation in your will enables you to support GNAAS in a way that perhaps was not possible during your lifetime. Indeed, the charity s very foundations were cast from others generosity in their wills. Sadly, we are noticing that our services are being called upon more now than ever before, placing a greater strain on our finances. Although we never know when or where we will be needed, your support will ensure we are always ready to respond. It should be reassuring to know that the profits from our Trading Company, which operates clothing collections and office recycling, covers all the charity s administrative costs. This means that every penny donated goes straight to keeping the helicopters flying a lasting and life-saving legacy. Please take some time to have a look through this guide, and do not hesitate to get in touch should you wish to find out more Grahame Pickering Chief Executive Great North Air Ambulance Service T h e G r e a t N o r t h A i r A m b u l a n c e S e r v i c e The Great North Air Ambulance Service owns and operates three air ambulance helicopters across the North-East, Cumbria and North Yorkshire. Our service is entirely charitably funded. Each of the many hundreds of missions the aircraft embark on every year is therefore reliant on the generosity of the public. The charity needs 4m a year to continue to operate. The money goes to pay for the aircraft, the fuel they use, the doctors, paramedics and pilots who make up the crew, and the medical equipment and supplies necessary to give patients the best possible treatment at the scene. The charity is leading the way with the level of care it offers its patients. When our crews arrive at an incident, they are essentially bringing the accident and emergency ward to the patient. But we could not continue to offer this service without the support of people like you. FACT GNAAS operates three Eurocopter Dauphin AS365 helicopters, capable of travelling at 190mph 2 www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk 3
Why make a will? FACT GNAAS carries specialist doctors on board who are allowed to administer advanced treatments at scene. Whatever your age, keeping an up to date and professionally written will is very important. It is the only way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after you die and that your loved ones and the causes that matter most to you are provided for in the way that you intend. How to leave a legacy FACT The GNAAS aircraft are called out on average about four times a day, with each call out costing an estimated 2,500. The process of leaving a legacy is very simple. If you are writing your will or trust, or updating your existing one, just put in a provision for The Great North Air Ambulance Service, making sure to include our address (Northumberland Wing, The Imperial Centre, Grange Road, Darlington, DL1 5NQ) and our registered charity number (1092204). If you change your mind for whatever reason, you can simply change your will at anytime. 4 www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk 5
Where the money goes T h e t h r e e w a y s y o u c a n l e a v e a g i f t t o G N A A S i n y o u r w i l l A residuary legacy is a gift of all or a percentage of your estate made after all other payments have been made. This allows you to divide your estate between the causes that matter most to you. Because it is a percentage rather than a set figure, it also has the benefit to the charity of not depreciating in value over time through inflation. A pecuniary legacy is a gift of a set sum of money as chosen by you. Depending on inflation/deflation, the value of the gift is likely to vary over time. A specific gift can also be left. This is a donation of anything from an item of jewellery to shares. If you are considering this option, we would recommend you get in touch with our legacy team. FACT The helicopters and crews are on duty 365 days a year to provide year round protection throughout the region. We always recommend that you seek professional advice when you draft or change your will. Will Morris from Morpeth, Northumberland, was playing in a children s adventure playground when he fell backwards and hit his head on a log. He suffered a severely fractured skull. GNAAS arrived on scene and took Will to hospital in Newcastle, a journey which took just seven minutes by air. The quicker a patient gets to hospital, the more chance they have of a recovery. Will has since returned to school. Lucy Ohlson, of Sunderland, spent four weeks in a coma after an horrific car crash near Ponteland, Northumberland. She had sustained brain injuries, a broken neck, a collapsed lung and a lacerated liver when a plough sliced through her car before impaling her in the side. GNAAS took a doctor to the scene before airlifting her to hospital for emergency surgery. She may not have survived the journey by road. Gareth Howard was walking on the Sharp Edge section of Blencathra in the Lake District, Cumbria, when he lost his footing and fell backwards, 50ft into a gulley. He is thought to have been knocked unconscious during the fall, which left him with multiple wounds. GNAAS was able to land nearby and airlift him to hospital for treatment. Gareth is now back out walking the hills once more. 6 www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk 7
GreAt North Air AmbulANce registered charity No. 1092204 Contact us We would be happy to discuss any queries you may have either over the telephone or face to face. You can call 01325 487263 and ask to speak to a member of the public liaison team. All calls are dealt with in the strictest confidence, or you can send an email to Legacy@greatnorthairambulance.co.uk Alternatively, fill in this form and we will get back in touch with you. Name: MR MRS MS MISS OTHER (please state) Please choose one of the following options depending on which method you would prefer to be contacted Postal address Phone number Email www.facebook.com/gnairambulance Twitter: @GNairambulance