Lloyd Honda Motorcycles announce partnership with GNAAS

Lloyd Honda bikes are delighted to announce their partnership with the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS). 

GNAAS has been registered as a charity since 2002 and provides life-saving pre-hospital care to critically ill or injured patients across the region.

Last year they responded to more than 2,100 incidents, which is a record-high, and they expect to respond to a similar number in 2024.

With an annual operating cost of 8.5 million (£23,200 a day), the organisation relies heavily on the generosity of the public and corporate partnerships to remain operational. These donations help fund vital necessities such as Defibrillation Pads, Blood warming packs and fuel for their rapid response vehicles, which are essential for giving patients the best chance of survival.

Earlier this week, members of the Lloyd Honda team were kindly invited down to the GNAAS HQ in Langwathby, to see firsthand the incredible contribution that Lloyd donations will be making. Specialist Fundraiser, Natasha Banks and the GNAAS critical care team took staff on a tour around the facility and their primary operational aircraft-Guardian of the North II.




The Guardian of the North II aircraft currently covers an area of more than 8,000 square miles, providing care throughout the North East, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, and the Isle of Man. Reaching an optimum speed of 170mph, 40 miles faster than the average helicopter, the team are able to reach time sensitive patients quicker than road bound response vehicles in the event of an emergency.

The team are alerted to incidents via an air desk, which closely monitors emergency response services in the North West and North East, including ambulance services and mountain rescue. This allows the critical care team to receive live updates of a patient’s condition and make the decision to deploy if necessary. 

The cabin has been modified to ensure that a patient’s comfort and survival is put to the forefront of any journey. A full-length stretcher is positioned in the centre of the cabin to ensure the patient can be attended to throughout the duration of the flight and multiple equipment bags containing medical equipment for every category of patient are on hand.

On average the team will respond to six call outs a day at any time, with their busiest day on record involving 22 separate activations, so it is imperative the aircraft is always prepared to leave.Whilst giving the tour, the critical care team were called out on a job, jumping straight into action, making the aircraft fully air bound within a matter of minutes to go to the aid of someone who needs it the most.

Onboard for every callout, a specialist team of professionals including a pilot, paramedic, and doctor, all fully trained to adapt to every medical scenario. The critical care team provide expert on scene medical treatment including anesthetising, amputation, and even open-heart surgery.

GNAAS were one of the first air ambulances to carry blood on board their aircraft and vehicles, back in 2015. The service was developed by GNAAS doctor Rachel Hawes who received an OBE for her work, and the charity’s critical care team have since delivered more than 500 blood transfusions to patients and ultimately saved countless lives.

Working closely in collaboration with Blood Bikes, blood and plasma donations are delivered and exchanged to the team daily from riders from Newcastle and Hexham. The blood products are stored in cool boxes which keep them cool for up to 48 hours and if not used, they are returned to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle to be used during surgery and other procedures in the hospital.

Speaking to the critical care team, it is clear how passionate they are about helping the local community, with some members travelling from as far as Edinburgh to be on call.

For every customer who completes a Honda UK customer survey post visit, Lloyd Honda Bikes will donate £1.00 on their behalf to Great North Air Ambulance Service. We hope with these donations we can help those within our local community in the times when they may need it the most. 

Head of Business for Lloyd Honda, Antony Conelly commented:

"We are delighted to partner with the Great North Air Ambulance Service. After meeting Natasha and the critical care team and seeing in real time the incredible work they are doing for the local community, it puts into perspective the reality of the situation. It is very comforting to know that such a service exists and emphasises the importance of raising both awareness and donations to ensure it continues to run. At Lloyd Honda, we believe in delivering first class customer service on every visit and are always delighted to hear back from our customers. To be able to convert this valued feedback into donations that can help someone critically ill, seems like the perfect collaboration.”
 
Make sure to follow us on socials to be kept up to date with all upcoming fundraising events including Flights for flights, Whirlybird Walkies as well as the latest updates on the partnership.

Additionally, If you would like to find out more information on the incredible work the Great North Air Ambulance are doing for the local community visit: Great North Air Ambulance Service or you can donate directly here.