A helicopter carved out of wood celebrating a life-saving charity has been unveiled in a Keswick park.
The 8ft long sculpture of a Great North Air Ambulance Service helicopter was crafted and donated by Simon Jackson, from Wood Actually, and was his final chainsaw carvings before retiring from the profession.
It has been painted by Keswick artist Paul Wilmott and GNAAS volunteer Jill Libby, from Penrith, who required the help of the charity in 2012 following a cycling incident.
It is one of four models that have gone on display in towns and villages across Cumbria to raise money for the region’s air ambulance.
“I had four or five logs left and decided to do it as a gift for GNAAS for free as they are charitably funded,” said Simon. “At the time my daughter Katie had just qualified as a paramedic, so it seemed quite fitting, as this marked the end of a chapter of one part of my life, and the beginning of a new chapter where hopefully Katie will get to work on an air ambulance one day.”
Similar sculptures are also available to see at White Platts in Ambleside; Tweedies in Grasmere and on the Campbell Memorial Green in Coniston.
At each site there is a QR code and text to donate number on display, and holidaymakers as well as locals are encouraged to share photos of the model helicopters on social media tagging @gnairambulance.
“We’re very grateful to everyone who has been involved in the project and donated their time and effort to make this possible,” said Lee Salmon, head of operations west at GNAAS.
“From Simon who carved the helicopters at the start to our fantastic installers BAF contractors, Carlisle probation service, and The Workhorse, it’s been a massive team effort.
“The helicopters will be on display across Cumbria throughout the summer, which is our busiest season for responding to incidents.
“We hope the sculptures will help to spread awareness of the work of our charity and any donations that people can give are hugely appreciated, as we understand times are tough for everyone at the moment.”
Last year GNAAS had its busiest year on record, responding to 1,620 call-outs across the region. Help fund its future by visiting https://gna.as/ourfuture
Will Clark, who is a councillor for the Lakes, as well as a volunteer and former patient of GNAAS, was at the unveiling of the sculpture in Hope Park.
Mr Clark suffered a serious spinal injury in July 2012 when a stick caught in his bicycle spokes while taking part in a charity triathlon, and he broke his neck.
He said: “GNAAS almost certainly saved my life transporting me to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where they could operate in 20 minutes, the same journey by road may have taken up to two hours.
“Ever since GNAAS came to my rescue it has been nice to try and give a little something back.”
