ONE of the region's most vital services is celebrating 15 years as an independent registered charity.

This weekend, the Great North Air Ambulance Service, which operates in the Lake District, Lancashire and Yorkshire, will celebrate with more than 350 supporters at its annual ball, held 15 years to the day it was formally registered.

Grahame Pickering MBE, the charity’s chief executive, said the landmark was a testament to the generosity of the people of the North-East, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.

He said: “The charity has evolved from very humble beginnings to become one of the UK’s leading air ambulances.

“Over the last 15 years, with the support of the general public, the charity’s innovative and ground breaking practice, often months or years ahead of other pre-hospital services, has enhanced the standards of care delivered to more than 16,000 patients in our region.

“Never before has the region had such an advanced critical care out of hospital service that has benefitted so many individuals and their families. A credit to the people of the North.”

Will Clark was treated by the GNAAS when he was involved in a bicycle accident which left him paralysed.

Since they treated him, he has raised £12,000 for the charity by doing the Great North Run, and now does talks about the charity at schools and community events.

Speaking to the Gazette, he said: "The charity played a major role in my immediate treatment. It was life saving.

"It is a really significant charity. It is something you don't always realise that you take for granted until you need it.

"I didn't know a great deal about GNAAS before I needed it. It is important to raise awareness and let people know that this is an invaluable service. "You never know when you might need it."

GNAAS is running a campaign called 'Fifteen patients in fifteen days' to commemorate the anniversary.

Throughout the campaign, patients will give their accounts of how the service helped them when they needed it most.

The stories of these patients can be found on the charity's website.