North East air ambulance marks milestone after raising £100k for new helicopter

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) marked a fundraising milestone after supporters raised £100,000 through its “Written in the Sky” campaign, which lets donors contribute £100 or more to have a name displayed on the underside of one of the charity’s new helicopters. The campaign, launched earlier in 2026, has received 372 name submissions, generating the £100,000 total toward GNAAS’s wider Operation SOS appeal, a £2.5 million drive to fund the deposit for a third helicopter. GNAAS CEO Joe Garcia said the milestone reflects strong community support, but added the organization remains far from its overall target. GNAAS is expanding with three Airbus H145 D2 helicopters, with deposits already secured for two; public support is needed for the third. The campaign also offers a limited-edition commemorative coin for £10, and 213 coins have been sold to date.