Harrogate Convention Centre helps raise £8,200+ for YAA

Harrogate Convention Centre helped raise more than £8,200 through event-based fundraising, which included bucket collections at selected events over the past three years.

The partnership, formed in 2022 when Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) was named the mayoral charity for Harrogate, allowed YAA community fundraisers to collect donations with the permission of event organisers.

Chair of North Yorkshire Council, Cllr George Jabbour, joins Yorkshire Air Ambulance's volunteers(Image: Supplied)

Clare Deacon, North Yorkshire regional fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: "We are incredibly grateful to Harrogate Convention Centre for their ongoing support and to event organisers and the many audiences who have contributed so generously over the past three years.

"The £8,200 raised will make a real difference in helping us continue saving lives across Yorkshire.

"Partnerships like this ensure our helicopters can reach those in urgent need of our care, and we cannot thank everyone enough for their kindness."

It is estimated the funds raised will have potentially saved two lives. Yorkshire Air Ambulance is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

The charity operates three helicopters from its airbases in Nostell and Thirsk.

Paula Lorimer, director of Harrogate Convention Centre, said: "I am delighted that the venue has been able to support Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s fundraising efforts again this year.

"I would like to thank our organisers and attendees of events at our venue for their kindness, and the fundraisers for their good work.

"By bringing people together, events have a tremendous impact on the local community, and it is wonderful to know that our events are also savings lives."

This year, Yorkshire Air Ambulance was selected as the charity of the year by Councillor George Jabbour, chair of North Yorkshire Council.

Councillor Jabbour participated in a bucket collection during the ELO Experience show at the Royal Hall.

Councillor Jabbour said: "Joining the passionate and dedicated volunteers raising money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance has been such a tremendous pleasure.

"It is also a gratifying experience to witness the enthusiasm of the visitors of the Royal Hall donating so generously to a wonderful cause.

"This would not have been possible without the commitment made by Harrogate Convention Centre to facilitate regular bucket collections at its venues.

"On behalf of our communities across North Yorkshire, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Convention Centre for starting and maintaining this amazing initiative."