An air ambulance’s four-legged mascot spent a day on base with the critical care team to mark the launch of the charity’s raffle.
Baxter, an 18-month-old Labrador, paid a surprise visit to the doctors, pilots and paramedics at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) as the guest of honour for the opening of one of its biggest fundraising activities.
Baxter’s owner, GNAAS paramedic Gordon Ingram, said: “It can be a tough job at times, especially in the summer months when we’re at our busiest. It’s a little thing but having Baxter around put a smile on everyone’s face.”
GNAAS is predicting it will have its busiest ever summer after responding to 165 call-outs in June alone.
With fundraising income down more than £1m on previous levels, because of the pandemic, the charity is hoping its raffle will help meet the rising demand.
The raffle has a £10,000 top prize. Tickets cost £1 each and are available now at gna.as/raffle21.
After officially opening the 2021 raffle, Baxter was declared “a very good boy” by Mr Ingram and rewarded with a game of fetch and a pair of socks – his favourite toy.