I'm running the Great North Run in support of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), a charity I’ve had the privilege of working alongside during my time in the fire service.

When we arrive at serious incidents, we’re often dealing with some of the most intense and time-critical situations imaginable. But when the GNAAS team touches down, there’s a noticeable shift - because we know the very best have arrived. Their level of skill, calm under pressure, and ability to deliver hospital-level care at the scene is nothing short of extraordinary.

I’ve seen first-hand just how vital their work is. Whether it's a roadside collision, a remote rescue or a medical emergency, they consistently deliver life-saving interventions with professionalism and compassion.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) rescues hundreds of severely injured or ill patients every year throughout the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria. Their doctor-led critical care teams deliver life-saving treatments at the scene of the incident - whether that’s on a fell top, a roadside or in a city centre. The charity responded to 2,083 call outs in 2024 alone, via their helicopters and emergency response vehicles, performing procedures that can mean the difference between life or death.

They rely entirely on public donations to keep flying and saving lives.

Every donation, no matter the size, genuinely makes a difference. If you’re able to support, thank you - it means a lot.