The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) has welcomed Keswick dog owner Kerry Irving as a charity ambassador.
Mr Irving and his English springer spaniels Max, Paddy and Harry gained a huge international following after broadcasting their daily walks live via their Facebook page Max Out in the Lake District.
Over the past two years they have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for GNAAS, by hosting several community events and dog walks.
In recognition of their support, Mr Irving was presented with a certificate of appreciation in April 2022, naming the dogs as honorary crew members – Dogtor Max, Puppermedic Paddy and Pawlot Harry.
Max died shortly afterwards, and now Mr Irving and his dogs Paddy and Harry are continuing Max’s legacy by raising further funds for numerous charities.
This culminated in Mr Irving funding a brand-new Volvo XC90 to be used by GNAAS’ critical care team in Cumbria, which proudly displays Max’s pawprint.
Speaking at the time of the donation, Mr Irving said: “Max, our springer spaniel, was there when I needed him and saved my life from depression.
“Max’s popularity went on to help thousands of other people up until he passed away in April.
“Helping others in need is the greatest gift we can all give and our community funded critical care vehicle given to GNAAS today, will help thousands of people in their hour of need.”
Mr Irving was recently the first person to be awarded the freedom of Keswick at a special ceremony in Hope Park, which is the home of a statue of Max.
During the event, Hannah Powell, regional fundraising lead for GNAAS, announced that Mr Irving had agreed to become an ambassador for GNAAS.
She said to the crowd: “We met Kerry about two years ago now, after we did the collection for Alistair Corfield (Mr Irving’s father-in-law) also known as Grandpaw, and because of that, it’s carried on and grown and the events that Kerry pulls off on our charity’s behalf is just mind blowing.
“And because of that, David, our CEO, asked Kerry, would he like to be our charity’s ambassador.”
Mr Irving added: “I’m very pleased to say that we have accepted the role. GNAAS means the world to us.”
