Yorkshire Air Ambulance has reached an extraordinary milestone after raising £1 million through its clothing recycling initiative. The achievement comes thanks to the generosity of people across the region who donate at least 90 tonnes of unwanted clothing and textiles every month to the charity’s recycling banks.
Since 2020, these items have been collected by Recycling Solutions, which resells them to second-hand clothing companies or recycles them. The scheme has proven to be not only an environmentally friendly way of dealing with unwanted clothes but also a lifeline in funding the helicopters that provide critical emergency care.
Katie Roberts, the charity’s director of relationship fundraising, said: “Every donation, whether it’s a single item or a whole bag, plays a vital role in keeping our helicopters flying and our critical care teams ready to respond.” She added that the milestone had been made possible by the “generosity and community spirit of people across Yorkshire” and described it as a fitting achievement in the Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s 25th anniversary year.
The charity is a vital part of emergency healthcare in the region. Established in 2000, Yorkshire Air Ambulance provides helicopter-based emergency medical services to more than five million people across Yorkshire and the Humber. With bases at Nostell in West Yorkshire and RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk, its Airbus H145 helicopters can reach anywhere in the county within minutes, offering rapid response and specialist care before transporting patients to hospital. In 2024 alone, the charity responded to 1,226 incidents, delivering critical treatment at the scene of serious accidents and emergencies.
The service relies entirely on donations, as it receives no direct government funding. In 2024, Yorkshire Air Ambulance had a revenue of £13.2 million, supported by the dedication of 50 staff and 165 volunteers. Recycling initiatives such as the clothing banks have therefore become essential, helping cover the £19,000 it costs each day to keep the helicopters in the air. Wendy Yarney, recycling bank coordinator at Recycling Solutions, praised the impact of the scheme: “It’s inspiring to see how the simple act of donating unwanted clothing can have such a far-reaching impact, both for the environment and for people in urgent need of medical care.”
Over the years, Yorkshire Air Ambulance has become a familiar presence in the region’s skies and on television, featuring in programmes such as Helicopter ER and Helicopter Heroes. It has also been involved in high-profile cases, including the emergency response to Richard Hammond’s 2006 crash at Elvington Airfield, which helped raise the profile of the charity and led to a surge of public donations. Since then, it has continually invested in its fleet, retiring older models and bringing in state-of-the-art helicopters. Most recently, new five-bladed Airbus H145 D3 helicopters joined the service in 2023 and 2024, improving reliability, range, and patient care.
The charity’s work extends beyond rapid response. By maintaining helipads at major hospitals such as Leeds General Infirmary, Hull Royal Infirmary, and the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire Air Ambulance ensures that patients requiring urgent specialist treatment can get there as quickly as possible. Its position as an independent charity has also fostered strong links with communities across Yorkshire, who fundraise tirelessly to support its operations.
Marking its 25th year in service, Yorkshire Air Ambulance continues to demonstrate how a regional charity can make a national impact. The £1 million raised from clothing donations is a striking reminder that small, everyday actions add up to something truly life-saving. With the charity responding to thousands of emergencies annually, every donated coat, pair of shoes, or bag of textiles helps to keep helicopters fuelled, crews trained, and lives saved.
The clothing initiative highlights a wider truth: that Yorkshire Air Ambulance is powered not only by aviation fuel but by public generosity. As Roberts explained, the service depends on individuals doing their part. By clearing out wardrobes, Yorkshire residents have kept one of the country’s busiest air ambulance charities flying high.
