Castles & Coasts Housing Association (CCHA) has presented a cheque to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) for £6,675 today, bringing their fundraising total to £15,000 over the past two years.
As a corporate charity partner of GNAAS, CCHA is committed to helping sustain the service’s incredible work across the North of England. GNAAS provides emergency pre-hospital care to some of the most remote and rural communities in the region, yet it is not government or NHS funded. With daily running costs exceeding £25,000, continued corporate and community support is essential to keeping the service operational.
Adam Gould, CCHA’s Head of Customer Service and Engagement said: “We’re incredibly proud to support the Great North Air Ambulance Service as our chosen corporate charity partner. This recent donation and reaching nearly £15,000 in contributions over two years, is a testament to the passion and generosity of our colleagues and residents. We look forward to continuing this important partnership.”
As part of this ongoing commitment, CCHA colleagues took part in two sponsored charity walks earlier this year in the Lake District National Park to raise vital funds for GNAAS. The walks were led by Neil Pritt, a Castles and Coasts resident. Neil’s local knowledge and background in mountain rescue proved invaluable when covering the dramatic terrain of Seathwaite Fell and a ten-mile loop around Derwentwater.
Participants faced a full mix of weather – from rain and wind to summer heat – but team spirit and enthusiasm remained strong. Each walker was encouraged to raise a minimum of £30 in sponsorship, and generous contributions from colleagues, family and friends quickly mounted up. CCHA residents and neighbours of the walk leader also held a coffee morning at CCHA’s Extra Care scheme, Greta Gardens, in Keswick, raising an additional £429.
In 2024 alone, GNAAS responded to more than 2,000 emergency callouts across the region where our homes are located. The service delivers critical care in life-threatening situations where time is of the essence, often operating in difficult terrain and hard-to-reach areas.
Adam continued: “We remain committed to supporting GNAAS through ongoing fundraising and awareness activities and are proud to continue playing a role in keeping this life-saving service flying. Thank you to all our colleagues, residents, and supporters, your kindness and commitment is helping to save lives across our communities.”
Natasha Banks, CSR and Philanthropy Specialist at GNAAS, said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from CCHA. Well done to everyone who braved the weather during the recent charity walks and helped raise thousands of pounds for our charity. Everyone should be so proud of their fundraising efforts as this money will help our team continue to deliver life-saving critical care across the region.”