Baxter takes the lead with air ambulance lottery
Air ambulance bosses are hoping their mascot will bring supporters some luck as they launch their annual fundraising lottery.
Baxter, an 18-month-old Labrador, joined the doctors, pilots and paramedics at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) to kick off 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 puts a smile on everyone’s face.”
Fundraisers are hoping he will help put money in the charity’s coffers.
GNAAS is predicting it will have its busiest ever summer after responding to 165 callouts in June alone – but fundraising income is down by more than £1m on previous levels because of the pandemic.
Mr Ingram said: “We’re seeing sustained demand for our critical care services. We’re now able to reach more people than ever before thanks to the new aircraft and other service improvements – all enabled by the people in the North East
“But we’ve been badly hit by the effects of Covid, and we need the support to continue if we can carry on operating at this level while driving further improvements.”
Last year, the life-saving charity was called out to to 1,262 serious incidents and had running costs of £5.2m.
The raffle has a £10,000 top prize.
Tickets cost £1 each and are available now at gna.as/ raffle21
For more information about the GNAAS, go to https://www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk/