Air Angels hoping to buy Michael Owen’s helicopter

Dec 13 2009 Sunday Sun

TODAY the Sunday Sun can reveal our Air Angels campaign hopes to buy Michael Owen’s former private helicopter.

The England and former Newcastle United striker sold his luxury chopper after his move back to the North West.

Now Air Ambulance bosses believe the fast and modern aircraft could be ideal to serve as an Air Ambulance for our region.

Negotiations have already started behind the scenes to secure the soccer-star’s sought-after chopper for the GNAA.

It’s hoped once we hit our campaign target, the leather seats and current creature comforts designed to Premier League-star standard could be ripped out and replaced with life-saving medical equipment.

The ambitious move follows an impressive start to our campaign. Yet another fantastic week of fundraising has seen our Air Angels campaign total reach a mighty £115,000.

Remember the Great North Air Ambulance receives no Government funding and is entirely reliant on the public for the cash it needs to fly life-saving missions.

The generous rate at which pledges and donations have been pouring in means the Air Angels fund is already well ahead of schedule.

It has given the charity confidence to start shopping around for the best model of aircraft it can lay its hands on.

However, there is still a long way to go before we reach our aim of raising £1m to buy the region it’s own Air Ambulance for the first time. GNAA fundraising manager Mandy Drake said: “It is really exciting to think we might be able to afford Michael Owen’s former helicopter.

“It looks like it could be entirely suitable for what we need.

“As always we’ve been extremely pleased with the donations and pledges coming in this week, thank you very much to everyone who has contributed.

“The important thing is the money keeps coming in. I can’t stress enough how important each penny is.

“It’s so simple, just pick-up the phone, or log-on to www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk

“If you prefer just cut-out the form on this page, fill it in and send it in.

“And please, please keep organising your own fundraising events on our behalf. If you need any help, or suggestions go to our website, or get in touch.”

By helping the Great North Air Ambulance buy its own helicopter for the first time, the Sunday Sun aims to secure the charity’s future and make sure the North is never left without the crucial life-saving service.

As an occasion earlier this year showed, administration demands and service requirements can lead to a situation where none of the helicopters are available to fly.

Owning instead of leasing means the public donations the charity relies on to operate will go even further in the future.

Sunday Sun editor Colin Patterson said: “Yet another fantastic performance from our readers.

“The news that the money may be going towards buying Michael Owen’s former helicopter means that it will have even greater links with the North.

“It is astonishing that people have been so generous at a time when there is such an enormous strain on finances, but it is important that we keep the momentum going for such a worthy cause.”

Page 2 - Get on board >>