The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) is inviting people to give a gift with a difference as it aims to raise a further £90,000 through its Written in the Sky campaign.
The unique fundraising campaign gives people the opportunity to have their own name, or the name of someone special, displayed on the underside of one of GNAAS’ new helicopters for a minimum donation of £100.
This could be gifted to celebrate someone, mark a special occasion like a birthday or Christmas, say thank you, or remember someone who is no longer here.
Recipients will also receive a thank you letter and certificate as a lasting reminder of their gift.
The campaign has already raised £130,000, with hundreds of people signing up to have either their names or the names of people they love on the aircraft.
One person who has already chosen to gift multiple names is former GNAAS patient and now volunteer, Susan Straughair.
In July 2021, Sue suffered a cardiac arrest at her home in Stockton and required the help of the emergency services.
The retired civil servant was placed in an induced coma on scene by the doctor and paramedic from GNAAS and taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where she stayed for six days.
She has since reunited with the teams who helped her and has been marking her “death day anniversary” with a significant event ever since, including getting a tattoo of GNAAS’ logo on her back.
This year, Sue has donated £400 to have her own name, her partner’s name and the names of her two sons included on one of the new helicopters and is encouraging others to gift it to their loved ones.
She said: “The Written in the Sky campaign is an amazing way to celebrate or remember a close friend.
“Any charity finds it hard nowadays to raise funds, and the air ambulance is just so critical, they can really use the support. You could do a lot by buying a name on the helicopter.
“I can never repay the debt in my opinion, I’ve had five more Christmases and five more birthdays with my family because of this service, it’s amazing. Without them I wouldn’t be here.”
The Written in the Sky campaign is part of Operation SOS, GNAAS’ most ambitious appeal to date, which aims to raise £2.5 million towards the deposit for a vital third helicopter.
GNAAS currently operates two helicopters, but parts shortages, rising maintenance costs and extended periods of downtime have made it increasingly challenging to keep both aircraft available.
The charity has already secured deposits for two new Airbus H145 D2 helicopters and is fundraising for the deposit for a third.
Returning to a three-helicopter fleet will help ensure their critical care team can remain available to respond by air when one aircraft is temporarily out of action.
By choosing to donate to Written in the Sky, supporters can give a gift that is both deeply personal and helps keep GNAAS flying.
To find out more, including full details, naming guidelines and terms and conditions visit https://gna.as/written2026
