THE Great North Air Ambulance touches down at North Yorkshire Police HQ this morning to celebrate its first anniversary of operations and to launch a new fund-raising appeal.
During the helicopter's flying visit to Newby Wiske, North Yorkshire Police will also announce a unique new link between the two emergency services.
Graheme Pickering, chief executive of the Teesside-based Great North Air Ambulance, will use the occ
asion to announce ambitious new plans to raise £2.5m for the purchase and equipping of a third generation air ambulance.
He said: "We are aware that by 2004/5 most of the air ambulances in the UK will either need to be replaced or extensively modified to conform with new European regulations. Given the cost of modifying existing aircraft, it makes more economic sense to acquire a new one."
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Bagshaw will announce a new direct link-up between North Yorkshire Police and the Great North Air Ambulance service, enabling police officers and control room operators to call the air ambulance direct to the scene of incidents.
He said: "Time can be a major factor at some incidents police officers are called to and a matter of seconds can mean the difference between life and death. I believe this new link will prove to be a life-saver."
