Story
Enter our Free Prize Draw to help the UK's Great North Air Ambulance Service buy a new much-needed helicopter and you could win an original artwork by Vaults of Vaarn creator Leo Hunt
Back in 2004 when I really needed to get to hospital, the Great North Air Ambulance flew me there in minutes. They did so with unforgettable kindness and efficiency at what was a really bad moment in my life. We live in a rural and quite isolated part of the UK, and the charity's air ambulances have repeatedly saved lives by getting people to hospital quickly, and by taking the pressure off NHS road ambulances.
But now the work of the GNAAS is under threat. Their fleet of ageing helicopters desperately needs updating, why is why they've launched their SOS Appeal. I wanted to support them, so asked my son Leo for help.
Leo is the Gold Ennie Award-winning author and illustrator of Vaults of Vaarn, a tabletop role-play game set in a futuristic blue desert on a distant planet. He also remembers the day the helicopter took his mum to hospital, and he's offering something really special to one supporter of this appeal in our Free Prize Draw.
One lucky winner will work with Leo to create their choice of character - monster, android, giant worm, whatever they decide - and will receive an original signed ink and watercolour drawing as a reward.
THANK YOU SO MUCH in advance for any donations you can make, I hope we're going to raise lots of money for this really important charity. And the very best of luck!
HOW TO ENTER
Make a donation to the Great North Air Ambulance via this page OR to enter without donating, send us your name and email by post (see below)
DON'T FORGET TO TICK THE BOX TO SHARE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS or we won't be able to tell you if you've won!
AND PLEASE DONATE WITHOUT GIFT AID if you want to be eligible for the prize (see below)
You can also donate without leaving your contact details if you don't want to be entered for the prize.
The closing date for entries is midnight on 30.11.26
Postal entries must arrive by this time to be included
The free prize draw is open to adults aged 18+, and only one entry per person please.
The winner will be randomly drawn from all eligible combined donated and postal entries. and will be contacted by email before 15.12.26
TO COMPLY WITH UK LAW
No purchase or donation necessary to enter. A donation will not increase your chance of winning. Enter without making a donation by sending a postal letter including your name, address and email to Lizzy Hunt, Ballachan House, Rothbury, NE65 7PT, UK
GIFT AID NOTICE
Because entries through this page are tied to a prize draw they aren't considered freewill gifts under UK law. Please don't add Gift Aid to your donation if you want to be entered into the prize draw.
MORE ABOUT THE PRIZE
Leo will consult the winner by email about the design, and do up to two rounds of sketches and initial ideas. The final piece will be A4 size in ink and watercolour, and will be signed by Leo and posted tp the winner.
MORE ABOUT LEO
Leo Hunt is the author of four Young Adult books published by Hodder, including the award-winning 13 Days of Midnight https://www.andrewnurnberg.com/authors/leo-hunt/
For more info about Vaults of Vaarn, visit Leo’s blog
https://vaultsofvaarn.com/2020/06/02/what-is-vaarn/
Leo's Vaults of Vaarn zines are currently being republished as a stylish hardback
MORE ABOUT THE GREAT NORTH AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE
GNAAS rescues hundreds of severely injured or ill patients every year throughout the North East, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and the Isle of Man. Their doctor-led critical care teams deliver life-saving treatments at the scene of the incident whether that is on a fell top, a roadside or in a city centre. The charity responded to 1,998 call outs in 2024/25, via their helicopter and emergency response vehicles, where they performed treatments and procedures which can mean the difference between life or death.
https://www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk/our-work/news/operation-sos-appeal-surpasses-1million/