The Great North Air Ambulance Service's (GNAAS) new aircraft received a warm welcome as it landed at its new home for the first time. The Pride of Cumbria II will be based at Langwathby near Penrith on the borders of the Lake District and will enable the UK aeromedical charity's critical care team to reach even more patients across Cumbria thanks to its upgraded power and versatility. The aircraft was met by cheers and applause from the new team as it took its first flight into the county following a refit by Leeds Bradford airport-based Multiflight.

The next generation air ambulance will begin work within weeks and will replace the Pride of Cumbria, which is nearly 30 years old and has helped to save hundreds if not thousands of lives since arriving in the region in 2011.

The charity's chief executive David Stockton says: “It goes without saying that the last year has been a real struggle for GNAAS with estimated losses due to COVID of around GBP100,000 per month. Last summer, the Guardian of the North II arrived at the charity and now, with the addition of the Pride of Cumbria II, we have completely revamped our aircraft, and it's time to look forward, not back.

“The ongoing support of the people of Cumbria has been phenomenal, and this new helicopter is our way of repaying that loyalty, which in turn will allow us to save many more lives and keep families together.”

The original Pride of Cumbria was due for routine maintenance next year, which was set to cost around GBP500,000, money the charity could not justify spending on such an old aircraft. The new Dauphin N3 aircraft is expected to serve Cumbria for around 15 years and is part of the charity's wider plans to expand its service in the region.

Francesca Kennedy, of Keswick, who was airlifted in December 2020 following a road traffic collision, said she was overjoyed when she heard about the arrival of the new aircraft. “The new helicopter is so beneficial. The public need to get behind GNAAS in supporting costs associated with the upgraded aircraft because we really couldn't be without the service. It is invaluable.”

GNAAS pilot Phil Lambert adds: “I am so excited about the arrival of the Pride of Cumbria II. It's very rare I get to drive a new car so you can imagine how I felt when I found out I was going to get to fly a new helicopter. A new car is exciting, but a new helicopter is next level stuff.

“I think we are going to be so busy in Cumbria this summer and the advantage of this new helicopter is that it can carry a lot more fuel, meaning we can potentially go to three jobs before refuelling instead of just one.”

Although GNAAS was able to fund the deposit on the aircraft through savings, it now needs to raise GBP40,000 a month to cover the loan repayments on the helicopter, and is asking supporters to do what they can to help meet the costs.