Two young at heart senior citizens have together raised over a thousand pounds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance after a year long mission to  cover one thousand miles each on foot. Richard Hancock from Walton and Mike Hindley who lives in Horbury have been unrelenting in their efforts to achieve their goal and were proud to be able to present a cheque to the YAA at their base in Nostell. The two friends first met through attending a local ukulele group , the Wakeylele Band, which is led by David Broadbent, a resident of Crofton, and which regularly raises money for the YAA through local gigs. 

On 28th April, Mike, Richard and David visited the Yorkshire Air Ambulance base at Nostel to present their cheque to Helen Berriman of Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Margaret Walker, Wakeylele’s treasurer and Linda Sargent, the band’s Friday event coordinator also attended. The guests were treated to a tour around the helicopter base by Helen. This gave them a real insight into the awesome set -up of the operation, the immediacy of which was illuminated only too well by the return of a helicopter which had earlier flown to an accident by the river Wharfe near Otley. Once the aircraft had landed the visiting fund raisers were entertained  by the very warm and outgoing personality of pilot Colin Hawksworth who explained more about the helicopter itself in terms of its capabiliies and eqipment. Thanks must also go to Helen who showed the visitors round and the young paramedic who was also upbeat and positive.

 The Wakeylele Band hope to continue to raise more money for the YAA throughout the year and are currently booked for a slot at the White Rose Shopping Centre near Leeds, having already performed more than once in the Ridings at Wakefield and at Cannon Hall near Barnsley.

Philip Barr

Pilot Colin Hawksworth chatting to the fundraisers after returning from Otley in 20 minutes!