Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has been generously supported by a donation of £98,000 from Yorkshire Freemasons: Thornborough Lodge, Leyburn and Hebden Bridge Lodge of Prince Frederick.
This substantial contribution underpins the Freemason's unwavering long-term commitment to supporting essential emergency services across Yorkshire and will significantly enhance YAA's critical operations.
Led by Mike Ramsay and John Dinsdale, Thornborough Lodge contributed £50,000 towards the cause, while the Lodge of Prince Frederick, represented by Robert Walker, Arthur Chapman and Basil Greaves, donated £48,000.
The funds will be used to procure essential equipment, including state-of-the-art handheld ultrasound devices for each YAA helicopter and Rapid Response Vehicle's (RRV), specialist helmets for the medical crew, and the implementation and six-year subscription of PHEMnet, a cutting-edge clinical and patient database system.
The implementation of PHEMnet enables seamless integration between YAA and key clinical databases, facilitating comprehensive analysis of patient journeys and interventions. This integration offers valuable insights and key learnings for YAA's critical care team, further enhancing the quality of their life-saving services.
Furthermore, the introduction of the Butterfly iQTM handheld ultrasound device will revolutionise pre-hospital care by enabling mid-air scans and rapid transmission of critical information to emergency teams, expediting treatments and improving patient outcomes.
Dr Stuart Reid, Medical Director at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, emphasised the positive impact of the ultrasound machines, stating,
"The introduction of handheld ultrasound devices will significantly enhance our diagnostic capabilities, particularly in cases of cardiac arrests. This advanced technology will empower our medical teams to make critical decisions swiftly, ultimately improving patient outcomes and aiding us to save more lives."
Expressing gratitude for the Freemasons' invaluable support, Mike Harrop, Chairman of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, commented,
"We are deeply grateful for the generosity shown by Freemasons from Thornborough Lodge and Lodge of Prince Frederick. The donation not only provides vital equipment but also serves as a testament to the community spirit that fuels Yorkshire Air Ambulance. With their support, we are empowered to continue our life-saving mission, ensuring that every person in need receives the highest standard of care, no matter where they are in Yorkshire."
Earlier this year, the Freemasons from both Lodges were warmly welcomed to YAA's Nostell Air Support Unit in Wakefield, where they had the opportunity to see one of the YAA's operational H145 D3 helicopters up close, and meet the dedicated team of Pilots, Paramedics, Doctors and other key members of the charity's staff, further strengthening the bond between the organisations.
Robert C Walker, a member of both Thornborough Lodge and a previous member of the Hebden Bridge, Lodge of Prince Frederick, played a pivotal role in facilitating the donation process.
Robert said,
"It is an honour to facilitate this meaningful contribution on behalf of both Thornborough Lodge and the Lodge of Prince Frederick. The Masonic charitable ethos of service and community support resonates deeply with the mission of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and we are proud to play a part in advancing their life-saving work."
